Help Restore Our Chesapeake Bay
By simply choosing WGES as your natural gas supplier, you can help clean the air and water here at home in the Chesapeake Bay region. Here is how.
Washington Gas Energy Services understands that small steps in the right direction can lead to big improvements. That’s why in 2002 we introduced CleanStepsSM WindPower, making locally sourced wind power part of the supply for our electricity customers. This year we are introducing another innovative program that funds local environmental projects and creates local benefits. CleanStepsSM Carbon Offsets is our new companion program for WGES natural gas customers.
As of August, 2010, when you select WGES as your natural gas supplier, you will get more than energy. You get locally sourced carbon offsets as part of your standard supply, and help fund new projects to grow local environmental benefits. WGES and our clean-energy partner, Sterling Planet, will each contribute to a Carbon Reinvestment Fund on your behalf. This fund will be managed by our nationally recognized and highly regarded partner, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. This Carbon Reinvestment Fund will be used to support new projects designed to clean and restore the Chesapeake Bay as well as the streams and rivers in the Bay watershed area (see map below).
A local program with many local benefits.
The CleanStepsSM program will use locally sourced and certified carbon offsets – reducing area pollution - to benefit us right here at home. The program is based on a simple environmental principle: less carbon = cleaner air = cleaner water.
Each year, WGES will release information on program results – such as tons of carbon offsets purchased by WGES customers, how new Chesapeake Bay Foundation projects are being implemented, etc. But the collective success of the CleanStepsSM Carbon Offset program and its potential impact begins with you.
An easy way to make a difference.
By simply choosing WGES as your natural gas supplier, you will start making a difference. Carbon offsets are part of the standard supply for both residential and commercial customers. Residential customers get the carbon offsets at the 5% level; small commercial customers, 3.5%. It is that easy – sign-up with WGES and start to save the Chesapeake Bay.
Real, measurable actions to clean up local air and water.
The certified carbon offsets from the CleanStepsSM program will be independently verified using recognized standards for measuring emission reductions. Our Carbon Reinvestment Fund will help support existing and new projects designed to clean and restore the Chesapeake waters.
An innovative program, the first of its kind anywhere.
WGES is an environmental leader. Only WGES includes carbon offsets as part of its standard natural gas supply and partners with a nationally recognized environmental authority: the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. Together – we are working to help make the Chesapeake Bay a cleaner, better place.
For more information:
WGES' CleanStepsSM Carbon Offsets program will be officially announced at a September 13, 2010 event at the Chesapeake Bay Foundation headquarters in Annapolis, Maryland. Additional details will be available closer to the day of the event.
Media Contact:
Alicia Moran, 410-991-7027
alicia@brightlinemedia.com
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Chesapeake Bay watershed |