By Renewable Energy Focus staff
The 2.85 million ft2 office building has signed a two-year contract with Green Mountain to purchase almost 55 GWh of renewable energy annually.
The renewable energy will be purchased in the form of wind renewable energy certificates (RECs) from NRG Energy, Green Mountain’s parent company.
“It was a natural fit for us to combine 100% clean energy with our nearly completed, ground breaking energy efficiency retrofit work,” says Anthony E. Malkin, President of Malkin Holdings.
“Clean energy and our nearly 40% reduced consumption of watts and BTUs gives us a competitive advantage in attracting the best credit tenants at the best rents. Our program of innovation at the Empire State Building shows simple, replicable, non-proprietary steps for other landlords to follow to be more energy efficient, cleaner and greener.”
The Empire State Building recently joined the US Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Green Power Partnership and qualifies for EPA’s Green Power Leadership Club – a distinction given to organizations that have significantly exceeded EPA’s minimum purchase requirements.
Paul Thomas, CEO of Green Mountain Energy, adds: “We are extremely pleased that an icon like the world-famous Empire State Building made this important commitment to support renewable energy.
“This announcement is historic for many reasons. In addition to being the largest commercial consumer of green power in New York City, the Empire State Building’s renewable power purchase is now the largest purchase in our company’s 13-year history.”
