For example, Xerox Corp. plans to achieve a 30 percent improvement in energy efficiency by 2012, says DOE. Green Mountain Energy Co., a green power provider, is offsetting its carbon emissions by buying renewable energy credits, and is also encouraging its employees to find creative ways to get to work. Exelon Corp., an electric utility, plans to increase its use of renewable energy while undertaking energy efficiency initiatives across its operations.

Meanwhile, General Motors Corp. (GM), one of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) early Climate Leaders partners, has already achieved its goal: an 11 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions over three years. GM achieved its goal in part by fueling coal-fired boilers with natural gas or landfill gas instead.

Publication date: 05/23/2005