The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released its update of the top 10 Green Power Partners in several categories, including its first national Top 10 Local Government Partners list highlighting the largest renewable energy purchases made by municipal and local government entities.
Topping the list is the City of San Diego, followed by the Austin Independent School District. Rounding out the top six local government purchasers of green power are: Montgomery County Wind Buyers Group (Md.), East Bay Municipal Utility District's Main WWT Plant (Calif.), the Round Rock Independent School District (Texas), and the City of Portland (Ore.).
Three of these local government partners also appear on EPA's most recent national Top 25 list: The City of San Diego, Austin Independent School District, and Montgomery County Wind Buyers Group.
In the national Top 10 College and University Partners list, which highlights the largest renewable energy purchases made by leading educational institutions, the University of Pennsylvania maintained its spot. Duke University, which tripled its purchase to 54 million kWh, claimed the No. 2 spot on the list, followed by Northwestern University and Western Washington University. Two new additions to the list (and partnership) are the University of Central Oklahoma (No. 5) and the University of Washington (No. 8).
The first national Top 10 Federal Government Partners list highlights the largest renewable energy purchases made by Federal government agencies. Topping the list is the U.S. Air Force, followed in second place by the EPA. Rounding out the top five Federal government green power purchasers are the U.S Department of Energy, the U.S. General Services Administration's Region 2 and the U.S. Army's Fort Carson.
The national Top 10 Retail Partners list, highlighting the largest national purchases of renewable energy by retail partner organizations, is led by Whole Foods Market, followed in second place by Starbucks. Rounding out the top five purchasers of green power are Safeway Inc., FedEx Kinko's and Staples. A newcomer to the list is the national outdoor retailer Recreational Equipment Inc., reaching No. 10 on the list, while FedEx Kinko's has jumped to No. 4 from its previous position at No. 6.
Five of the retail partners on this list are also among the largest EPA green power purchasers in the nation. Whole Foods Market, Starbucks, Safeway Inc., Staples and FedEx Kinko's also appear on EPA's current Top 25 list of the largest national green power purchasers in the Green Power Partnership.
EPA updates its Top Partner lists of green power purchasers quarterly. The next scheduled update is set for October 2006 and will reflect information received by partners as of September 21.
