FatCow Web Hosting "Goes Green" by Committing to 100% Wind Energy
(Gawkwire.com) FatCow, a leading provider of Web hosting, domain registration and related marketing services, announced today that its offices and data centers are now 100 percent powered by wind energy. "We're offsetting all of our electricity use by purchasing wind-generated Renewable Energy Certificates," explains Paul Bukhovko, FatCow's Marketing Manager, "providing our customers with an environmentally preferable Web hosting solution." The Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) are being supplied by wind energy marketer and developer Community Energy Inc. (CEI).
On behalf of all of its offices and data centers, FatCow is buying 4,412,000 kilowatt hours (kWhs) per year of wind-generated RECs. This volume is comparable to the entire output of one 1.5 megawatt (MW) wind turbine over the course of one year. When compared to the average generation mix in the national electric grid, the estimated environmental benefit from this purchase is equal to offsetting approximately 2,260 metric tons of carbon dioxide per year, the impact of which is equivalent to planting about 2,390 acres of trees each year or not driving 6.1 million miles.
"Electricity generation is a major source of greenhouse gas emissions, and Community Energy applauds FatCow for taking action on climate change," says Brent Alderfer, Executive VP of Community Energy. "Their commitment to 100 percent wind-generated RECs makes a difference for cleaner air, a stronger economy and new clean energy sources in the U.S."
By reducing its carbon footprint, FatCow is responding to feedback from its staff, as well as letting customers host green sites of their own. "Quite frankly," Bukhovko says, "our employees and our customers were the driving factors behind our decision to go green. Our staff members encourage responsible environmental behavior inside the office and practice it outside the office. And, we know that many of our customers feel just as strongly. We wanted to give them an opportunity to reduce their own carbon footprint by hosting their sites on servers 100 percent powered by wind energy."
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Comments (1 posted):
But.. thats not what the article says. It says they are buying certificates. That means their power is the same as everyone elses, but they are buying redemption after the fact.
Its a great idea with bad execution. I mean, if they didnt buy the REC's, would the wind turbine be turned off? Its not really making any difference in the end. Now if they took the money and covered their DC roof with solar panels - THAT would mean they are pulling less carbon based electricity from the grid and WOULD make a difference.
Great concept - please take it to the next step.
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