Recreational Equipment Inc. (REI), a national retail cooperative providing outdoor gear and apparel, announced at its annual meeting Monday that it will purchase 10 million kilowatt hours of green power, or 20 percent of the company’s national electricity usage.
The purchase of wind, landfill gas and solar generated electricity will provide 100 percent of the power for 17 of REI’s 82 retail stores, and is equivalent to the annual use of more than 1,000 average homes. The switch to renewable resources eliminates over 5,500 tons of CO2, equivalent to removing more than 1,000 average cars from the road.
“Snow in the mountains and clean water in streams and lakes are essential to REI’s mission of helping people enjoy the outdoors,” said REI President and CEO Sally Jewell.
“This is a significant addition to REI’s commitment to being good stewards for the environment,” Jewell said. “While our grants program supports the work of thousands of volunteers caring for public lands and introducing young people to outdoor recreation, we also are taking a close look at our business practices to reduce our environmental footprint.”
REI has joined the Green Power Partnership, a voluntary partnership between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and organizations interested in buying green power. REI’s purchase of 10 million kilowatts will place the company among the top 10 retailers in the country purchasing green power.
REI also has announced that it will be a founding member of the Seattle Climate Partnership, a group of Seattle employers working together on climate issues. The new partnership was announced Friday by Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels.
REI selected qualifying, Green-e certified, renewable energy contracts. In addition to reducing green house gas emission, in most cases these contracts also reduce the company’s exposure to fossil fuel surcharges.
About REI
REI is an outdoor retail co-op dedicated to inspiring, educating and outfitting its 2.8 million active members and the community for a lifetime of outdoor adventure. Founded in 1938 by a group of Pacific Northwest mountaineers seeking quality equipment, REI operates retail stores nationwide, two online stores – REI.com and REI-OUTLET.com – and an adventure travel company, REI Adventures.
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