Boeing South Carolina Ranks in the Top 15 on EPA's Fortune 500 List of Green Power Purchasers

Courtesy of Mike Tiffee

Boeing's South Carolina 787 fabrication and assembly facility in North Charleston, SC ranks 14th on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) Fortune 500 list of the largest renewable power purchasers in its Green Power Partnership, according to the agency's most recent ranking released Oct. 24. The North Charleston, S.C., site ranks 33rd overall among green energy consumers, including local, state and federal governments, and a growing number of colleges and universities.

Boeing South Carolina purchases nearly 130 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of renewable power annually from South Carolina Electric & Gas (SCE&G), enough to meet 100 percent of the site's energy needs. A percentage of that power will be generated onsite by a thin-film solar laminate installation on the roof of the Boeing South Carolina 787 Final Assembly building.

"This shows our commitment to drive environmental thinking into the way we operate our company," said Mary Armstrong, Boeing vice president of Environment, Health and Safety. "Boeing South Carolina's commitment to renewable energy, coupled with its zero waste to landfill program and LEED certification targets for all new construction, demonstrates that what's good for the environment is also good for business."

The site's solar generation system, owned and maintained by SCE&G, is the largest in the southeastern U.S. by production capacity and by itself could power approximately 250 residential homes.
"EPA's Green Power Partners consistently raise the bar for using clean, renewable electricity," said EPA Assistant Administrator for the Office of Air and Radiation, Gina McCarthy. "Boeing South Carolina's commitment to using green power serves as an example of leadership for others to follow."

North Charleston wins Chamber 1773 Award

For the third year, the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce honored 12 dynamic businesses and industries that make up the Charleston region’s economy and best reflect the vision, mission and core values of the Chamber through the 1773 Chamber Awards. The winners were announced at the Chamber’s Annual Meeting June 3.

The 1773 Awards is named for the year of the Chamber’s establishment. Awards were given to organizations that best reflect the core values of the Chamber; Leadership, Relevance, Integrity, Diversity and Innovation. Winners of each category will be vying for the 1773 Chamber of the Year Award being presented at the Annual Gala on July 9.

North Charleston received the Public Sector Award. The Chamber wrote:

PUBLIC: City of North Charleston
This past December, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency awarded the 2009 Environmental Justice Achievement Award for the Mitigation Agreement Commission and the Lowcountry Alliance for Model Communities (LAMC). A large part of this important effort was due to the tireless and inspirational efforts from the City of North Charleston’s involvement with the LAMC revitalization master planning work and the ongoing collaboration with the South Carolina Ports Authority on the community mitigation for the port expansion. This partnership was one of 5 in the U.S. to receive the 2009 award.

The City of North Charleston has spent a lot of time, talent, effort and dedication by collaborating in a truly exceptional community‐City partnership. The City of North Charleston has distinguished itself through its work and service for its residents in the face of tremendous economic and social challenges and reached out to other universities such as the University of South Carolina and other partners in its approach to community revitalization. These multi‐disciplinary and multi‐partnership efforts move beyond excellent work to what is exemplary and remains a model for cities not only in South Carolina but in the U.S.

Read about other 1773 Award winners