PHILADELPHIA — Veolia Energy North America has announced the installation and commissioning of two new, natural gas-fired, rapid-response boilers, as part of the company’s recently extended steam supply agreement with the University of Pennsylvania (Penn). The rapid-response boilers replace an older, less-efficient oil-fired boiler, increasing the overall efficiency of Veolia Energy’s steam service in the central business and university city districts of Philadelphia, and significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions. As part of its extended 20-year energy agreement with Penn, Veolia Energy has expanded the scope of services to include conservation and operational improvement initiatives.

“We are very pleased to complete these system-wide investments, including a major upgrade in natural gas transportation infrastructure, as part of our extended agreement to deliver efficient energy solutions to the University of Pennsylvania, which was the first Ivy League signatory to the Presidents’ Climate Commitment,” said William J. DiCroce, president and CEO of Veolia Energy North America. “Veolia Energy shares this commitment to the environment, and we are delighted to help reduce the carbon footprint of both Penn and the greater city of Philadelphia. Large campuses are a perfect fit for our solutions and expertise, and the improvements and upgrades that we have made will deliver substantial environmental benefits to the University of Pennsylvania and our customers throughout Philadelphia.”

“Veolia Energy is delighted to contribute to the city of Philadelphia’s plans to become the greenest city in the United States of America by 2015, and to switch from oil to clean-burning natural gas,” said Michael J. Smedley, Veolia Energy’s vice president for the Mid-Atlantic region. “The innovative agreement between Veolia Energy and the University of Pennsylvania is a significant achievement that represents another step forward toward the achievement of the GreenWorks vision of our Mayor, Michael A. Nutter, to enhance the quality of life of the residents of Philadelphia.”