The company's donation, to Leonardo Academy Inc.'s Cleaner and Greener(SM) program, is the second consecutive year FuelCell Energy has offset the exposition's emissions, resulting in its certification as a "cleaner and greener" event. This year, more than 1,500 federal, state, local and private sector energy managers and other energy professionals attended its workshops and training sessions on new technologies, renewables, policy and planning in Long Beach, Calif.
FuelCell Energy's emissions credits stemmed from ultra-clean generation of 2,200 megawatt hours of electricity by several of its Direct FuelCell(R) (DFC(R)) power plants in California and Connecticut. Emissions credits -- derived from the use of fuel cells, cleaner fuels, improved energy efficiency or increased application of renewable energy sources -- offset pollution created by energy use elsewhere. Many experts believe emissions trading programs will help foster the development of cleaner power generation technologies such as fuel cells.
"Certifying the Energy 2005 Workshop and Exhibition as a 'green' event underscores that fuel cell power plants are an integral part of helping improve our environment," said Dan Brdar, Chief Operating Officer of FuelCell Energy. "Being able to do so for this year's event is especially gratifying for us given that it's located in southern California, an area with strict air emissions standards."
The US General Services Administration (GSA) recently recognized last year's Energy 2004 exposition as the federal government's first independently certified green meeting and trade show, and cited a number of organizations with its 9th Annual Achievement Award for Real Property Management Innovation.
"We are pleased to work with FuelCell Energy again this year to certify Energy 2005 as a Cleaner and Greener event," said Michael Arny, president of Leonardo Academy. "We applaud the environmental benefits of their fuel cell products and the role they can play in reducing emissions from electric power generation."
Leonardo Academy founded the Cleaner and Greener Certification Program to reduce pollution and promote sustainability, helping businesses, organizations, individuals and events take action to reduce pollution that contributes to climate change, smog and acid rain. The Program now addresses all aspects of sustainability. For more information about the Cleaner and Greener program, please visit http://www.cleanerandgreener.org.