ING Receives EPA Green Power Leadership Award

PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- ING announced today that it has received a 2008 Green Power Leadership Award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The annual awards recognize the country's leading green power purchasers for their commitment and contribution to helping advance the development of the nation's voluntary green power market. EPA presented ING with the award at an event held in conjunction with the 2008 National Renewable Energy Marketing Conference in Denver, Colorado.

ING was one of only nine organizations nationwide to receive a Leadership Award for its green power purchase. The award recognizes EPA Green Power Partners who distinguish themselves through purchases of green power from a utility green-pricing program, a competitive green marketer, or a renewable energy certificate (REC) supplier. ING is currently purchasing more than 75 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of green power annually, which is enough green power to meet 100 percent of the organization's purchased electricity use. ING is buying renewable energy certificates from Community Energy.

"We are proud to receive this prestigious award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency," said Rhonda Mims, president of the ING Foundation and senior vice president of ING's Office of Corporate Citizenship and Responsibility. "Purchasing green power helps our organization become more sustainable, while also sending a message to other companies across the U.S. that supporting clean sources of electricity is a sound business decision and an important choice in reducing climate risk."

ING currently ranks No. 42 on EPA's National Top 50 list. Each list highlights EPA Green Power Partners that have completed the largest annual voluntary purchases through October 8, 2008. EPA updates its Top Partner Lists quarterly at http://www.epa.gov/greenpower/toplists/.

Green power is electricity that is generated from environmentally preferable renewable resources, such as wind, solar, geothermal, biogas, biomass and low-impact hydro. These resources generate electricity with a net zero increase in carbon dioxide emissions, while offering a superior environmental profile compared to traditional power generation sources. Green power purchases also support the development of new renewable energy generation sources nationwide.

"Our nation is shifting to a 'green culture,' with more and more Americans understanding that environmental responsibility is everyone's responsibility," said EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson. "EPA commends ING for making a long-term commitment to protecting the environment by purchasing green power."

According to the U.S. EPA, ING's current green power purchase of more than 75 million kWh is equivalent to avoiding the carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions of nearly 10,000 passenger vehicles per year, or is the equivalent amount of electricity needed to power more than 7,000 average American homes annually.

In addition to its green power purchase, ING is also focusing on ways to reduce its environmental impact through waste reduction and energy efficiency initiatives, the addition of new recycled paper options for all offices, more robust recycling programs and eco-friendly procurement practices. A grass- roots, employee-led team called Orange Goes Green is also helping to build awareness among employees about how they can live "greener" at work and home, including supporting environmental volunteer opportunities.

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