Environmental impact

Why the environmental impact is important to you beyond the savings?

Carbon footprint reduction

Carbon dioxide emissions are believed to be causing the Earth’s climate to change and warm which could have catastrophic results if we do not act to reduce them. Carbon dioxide emissions in our atmosphere are at their highest levels in recorded history, spanning over 650,000 years. Current global emissions contain 7 billion tons of carbon every year and are projected to double over the next year. (double – is this true given the global economic slowdown?)

Most scientists agree that the effects of climate change can be seen now. Temperatures are increasing, glaciers are receding at unprecedented speeds, storms are becoming more frequent and severe chunks of ice the size of Connecticut are breaking off the Antarctic ice shelf.

There is strong evidence that most of the warming over the last 50 years is attributable to human activities that alter the chemical composition of the atmosphere through the buildup of Green House Gases (GHGs) – primarily carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous acid. GHG levels that are too high enhance the heat trapping capability of the earth’s atmosphere resulting in global warming. *US Environmental Protection Agency. And the United States is responsible for 25% of the global? emissions today from automobiles, industry and power plants. (should we add commercial buildings.

Energy efficient lighting projects help reduce the carbon dioxide emissions of your facilities, contributing to the reduction in your carbon footprint and the preservation of earth. As an example, one of our recent typical lighting retrofit projects we were able to prevent the emissions of 2,133,635 lbs. carbon dioxide, 27,197 lbs. of sulfur dioxide and 9,135 lbs. of nitrogen oxide annually. The equivalent to planting 344 acres of trees, removing 168 cars from the roads and saving 107,759 gallons of gasoline every year.

National Security

The United States is the largest consumer of energy in the world. And the primary source of that energy (over 40%) is from oil. Our dependence on oil means dependence on foreign imports for over 60% of our oil demands with over 20% of that demand from middle eastern sources. (* Council on Foreign Relations “America’s Energy Sources” by Lee Hudson Teslik). Politicians and citizens recognize the risk to National Security this foreign dependence creates. The development of domestic renewable energy sources and investing in energy efficiency projects can reduce that risk and potentially result in jobs creation.

On August 4, the House passed The New Direction for Energy Independence, National Security and Consumer Protection Act. This legislation is designed to move the United States toward greater energy independence and security, develop innovative new technologies, reduce carbon emissions, create green jobs, protect consumers, increase clean renewable energy production and modernize our energy infrastructure.

As stated on the House of Representatives web site, this legislation suggests investing in, among other things, new energy technologies and innovative new jobs and improved energy efficiency for a wide range of products, lighting and buildings.

People Care

More and more, as citizens of the United States, your customers and your employees are calling for corporations to make changes and improvement in their energy strategies. According to a USA Today Gallup Poll conducted in March 2007, more than 8 in 10 Americans consider that a company’s environmental record should be an important factor in deciding whether to buy its products.

Employees bear most of the impact of poor corporate environmental practices and have the most power to demand change. Employees and their unions will demand safe, “Green” working environments or they will change jobs, or worse, mobilize public support and generate negative media attention.

An energy efficiency lighting improvement project can create a safer and more attractive work environment while improving your overall energy strategies. Consumers who pay attention will appreciate the environmental impact while employee productivity has been proven to improve with an improvement in their work surroundings.

Other Financial Benefits

In addition to the immediate energy savings experienced from an energy efficiency lighting project there are other financial implications to consider.

You may have access to substantial incentives and rebates associated with energy savings projects across most of your locations. These incentives vary geographically and are available from many local utilities and local and state governmental agencies. There is also the recently passed Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 which extends the benefits of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 through December 31, 2013 that can provide substantial financial benefits for qualified projects including a Federal Tax deduction equal to $.60 per square foot for qualifying projects.

Positive public relations, related to contributing to the greening of America and the reduction in the emitting of GHGs can have powerful impact on your bottom line through the delivery of a high-impact message to shareholders, employees, your customers and the media at large.

Why Go Green

Helping you consume less energy
is our business.

What you do with the savings is yours.

What it does for the environment
is everyone's.