KANSAS CITY, Mo., Nov. 28, 2006 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Aquila today submitted a report to a network of investors and financial institutions regarding the company's commitment to responsible environmental management. The document also provides an overview of the company's wide-ranging plans to address greenhouse gas emissions that can be related to global warming.
Thus far, Aquila is one of only a handful of electric utilities to submit a comprehensive emissions report in response to a request from the Investor Network on Climate Risk, a Boston-based network of institutional investors and financial institutions. This Investor Network was organized to promote a better understanding of the financial risks and investment opportunities posed by climate change.
"Aquila is mindful of the impact our energy infrastructure has on the environment and we continue to invest in upgrades that reduce our emissions," said Block Andrews, Aquila's director of environmental services.
"In addition we are exploring 'green' options for future projects in the communities where we live and serve customers. We understand the need to help create public awareness and support efforts to find viable, economic eco-friendly alternatives."
Aquila was the first Missouri utility to offer a "green power" tariff, which allowed customers to buy electricity from wind-powered generation. The company also is the first utility in Kansas to serve customers with power from a large-scale wind turbine project; Aquila's participation in the Gray County, Kan. wind farm earned the company a pollution prevention award from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.
"Wind energy is a zero greenhouse-gas emitter. There was no renewable portfolio standard or mandate to start investing in wind power. We did it because it made sense and is a perfect fit with our desire to have a diversified energy portfolio," Andrews said.
In addition to programs and guidelines already in place, Aquila has volunteered to report its greenhouse gas emissions for the Gas Star program and the Department of Energy's 1605(b) program; these programs monitor the industry trends in greenhouse gas emissions. The company also analyzes its future power needs and submits an Integrated Resource Plan to the Missouri Public Service Commission on a regular basis. The Aquila plan includes a green option that caps greenhouse gas emissions at the company's year 2000 levels.
"Across our 1,600 communities in five Midwestern states, Aquila has voluntarily planted more than 230,000 trees, resulting in the absorption of 26 million pounds of greenhouse gases," Andrews said.
Trees consume carbon dioxide, a key component in global warming. In the fall of 2006, nearly 225 Aquila volunteers across the five-state service territory partnered with local communities and assistance agencies to weatherize 25 homes to help low-income families reduce their heating bills.
Through other energy conservation programs, the company has reduced electrical demand, lowering greenhouse gases by a total of 98 million pounds -- a reduction of 98 pounds for every Aquila customer. In the company's power plants, energy is generated by burning used tires as fuel and utilizing cleared forest debris (also known as biomass). Recently, the company began offering rebates in Colorado to customers who install solar systems.
"With each energy asset we consider the available options," Andrews said. "With more focus on developing solutions for consumers and industry, everyone benefits from a healthier place for our families to live and work. We burn a significant amount of tires as fuel, an environmentally friendly alternative to tossing them in landfills."
As an added bonus, the tire-burning program annihilates a breeding ground for mosquitoes. Reducing the mosquito population can minimize diseases such as West Nile Virus.
About The Investor Network on Climate Risk
The Investor Network on Climate Risk is a network of institutional investors and financial institutions dedicated to promoting better understanding of the financial risks and investment opportunities posed by climate change. The INCR was launched at the first Institutional Investor Summit on Climate Risk at the United Nations in November 2003, and now includes more than 50 institutional investors that collectively manage over $3 trillion in assets. Learn more at incr.com.
About the Edison Electric Institute
Organized in 1933, Edison Electric Institute (EEI) is the association of shareholder-owned electric companies in the United States, international affiliates and industry associates worldwide. EEI provides advocacy, authoritative analysis and critical industry data to its members, Congress, government agencies, the financial community and other opinion-leader audiences. The Institute's U.S. members serve 97 percent of the customers of the shareholder-owned segment of the industry, and 71 percent of all U.S. electric utility customers. They generate almost 60 percent of the electricity produced by U.S. electric generators.
Aquila's Environmental Mission Statement
"Aquila will manage its utility business in an environmentally responsible manner. We will protect the quality and diversity of our environment and continually improve our performance while in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. We will partner with government agencies and citizen organizations within the communities we serve."
About Aquila
Based in Kansas City, Mo., Aquila serves nearly 1 million customers, including electric customers in Colorado, Kansas and Missouri, and natural gas customers in Colorado, Iowa, Kansas and Nebraska. The company also owns and operates power generation assets. More information is available at www.aquila.com.
The Aquila, Inc. logo is available at http://www.primezone.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=1753