4/22/2009

Washington Gas and Community IT Innovators achieve highest level of certification from Sustainable Business Network of Washington

Washington, D.C., (April 22, 2009) -- As part of Earth Week's celebration, the Sustainable Business Network of Washington (SB NOW) is pleased to announce that two companies; WGL Holdings, Inc., parent company of Washington Gas Light Company, and Community IT Innovators have earned the organization's highest level of green certification. They represent the first large (over 250 employees) and small (under 100 employees) businesses to earn this distinction. The offices of the Downtown D.C. Business Improvement District were the first to earn certification from SB NOW, in December 2008.

WGL Holdings Inc.'s certification reflects overall excellence in nearly every scoring category.  It also differentiated itself by adopting innovative practices that include being among the first publicly traded companies in the nation to adopt e-delivery of annual meeting materials which, to date, has saved over 50 tons of paper.  Savings from paper reduction, printing, and a 95 percent reduction in the number of packages delivered have reduced GHG emissions while saving nearly $500,000.  Other innovative practices include reducing travel by installing and using video-conferencing equipment, as well as establishing customer and community programs targeted at efficiency and environmental stewardship. 

For 15 years, CITI has been a familiar fixture in the Shaw neighborhood, contributing to that area's economic growth while improving the environment. The company cut its energy usage nearly in half in one year through in-house green IT initiatives, including server virtualization, use of thin clients, deploying custom designed desktop power management software, and using LCD monitors instead of CRTs. At the same time, the energy that the company does use is generated 100 percent by wind power. Additionally, the company ensures that it offsets its carbon emissions by purchasing renewable energy credits (RECs).

Interest in SB NOW's Green Business Certification program has been high.  The program includes both technical sustainability assistance, provided by Eco-Coach, Inc., the initiative's private sector partner, as well as an independent certification by the non-profit SB NOW.  The program helps to facilitate businesses meeting the District of Columbia's City government green building mandates by supporting both LEED certification and EnergyStar rating requirements.  The first group of companies is currently being certified. In response to the interest, SB NOW is creating local 'green job' growth and is training more technical advisors and certifiers to meet the demand.

"We're extremely pleased with how the business community has responded because it demonstrates the strong commitment of businesses in the DC area to improving our environment," said John Friedman, chair of SB NOW's board of directors. The organization anticipates having enough certifiers in place to meet the demand by September. "Right now we have a backlog of 80 companies that are waiting to go through our process, and are accepting reservations for the waiting list," adds Friedman.

See the official press release here.