The Energy Foundation in San Francisco, CA, announced that it has offset 100% of its greenhouse gas emissions through the purchase of green tags from the Bonneville Environmental Foundation (BEF). The green tag purchase supports wind and solar power from new facilities in the Pacific Northwest, and matches the foundation’s goal of promoting energy efficiency and renewable energy.

According to the Energy Foundation, its operations in the U.S. create the equivalent of 504 tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually. Air travel is responsible for 80% of its emissions, natural gas consumption 15%, employee commuting 4%, and electricity consumption 1%. Its green tag cost is approximately $23 per ton of carbon dioxide, or about $11,600 per year.

— Greg Mazurkiewicz

Publication date: 08/19/2002