We hope you enjoyed the holidays! Here at Santa Clara Green Power, we are remembering a few of our favorite things from 2011. Read on and catch up on the exciting updates from within our Santa Clara Green Power community!

Santa Clara University (SCU) received a 2011 Green Power Leadership Award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). These prestigious awards recognize the country’s leading green power users for their commitment and contribution to helping advance the development of the nation’s voluntary green power market. Santa Clara University was one of only ten organizations nationwide to receive a Leadership Award for its green power purchase. 

How did SCU do it? SCU purchases more than 30 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of Santa Clara Green Power annually, which is equivalent to avoiding the carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions of more than 4,000 passenger vehicles per year, or the CO2 emissions from the electricity use of nearly 3,000 average American homes annually.

“Purchasing green power helps our university become more sustainable, while also sending a message to others across the U.S. that supporting clean sources of electricity is a sound business decision and an important choice to fight climate change,” said Joe Sugg, Assistant Vice President of University Operations at SCU.

SCU is on track to becoming climate neutral by the end of 2015, as promised by SCU President Michael Engh, S.J. You can learn more about SCU’s sustainability initiatives at www.scu.edu/sustainability.

The City of Santa Clara has increased its green power purchase through Santa Clara Green Power. Even better, the City was able to increase its green power purchase threefold without increasing costs by taking advantage of a bulk purchasing discount! The City now purchases the equivalent of the output of one utility-scale wind turbine, which is about 14% of the City's electricity use.

Our beloved Teddy (pictured right) received a lot of attention this winter for celebrating his 100th year perched atop the Holiday Tree near City Hall. He was even the star of his own comic strip! But, did you know that Teddy's holiday tree used lights powered by Santa Clara Green Power? It's a holiday tradition of which we are proud! As a Santa Clara Green Power participant, your lights are shining with green power too!

Santa Clara Green Power is on Facebook! You can find us at
facebook.com/santaclaragreenpower. “Like” our page and stay connected to your green power community!

You may have spotted us in your neighborhood sporting our blue polo shirts and spreading the good word about Santa Clara Green Power. It's all part of our 1,000 doors for 2011 campaign! We are doing these "courtesy knocks" to sign up new customers and answer any questions about the program. Be sure to say hello if you see us! Let us know you're in the program and we may have a goodie in our bag for you!