GDF SUEZ Energy Resources to Donate Renewable Energy Certificates to New England Aquarium

BOSTON, Oct. 25, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- GDF SUEZ Energy Resources NA, one of the largest competitive retail electric providers in the United States, announced today that it will donate Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) to match 100 percent of the New England Aquarium's estimated annual electricity usage.

This is the fourth consecutive year that GDF SUEZ Energy Resources has donated RECs to the Aquarium. The Green-e© Certified RECs will displace the estimated annual greenhouse gas emissions of 1,083 passenger vehicles; 1,924 tons of waste diverted from landfills; and the carbon dioxide emissions from the total energy usage of 469 households.

"As a company, we share the New England Aquarium's commitment to sustainability and to making this a better planet," said David Coffman, Vice President-Marketing of GDF SUEZ Energy Resources. "We're proud to continue this relationship, and to help support the Aquarium's mission of environmental responsibility and marine conservation."

"One of our overriding goals is to preserve and protect the Earth's natural resources. Reducing the Aquarium's carbon footprint is a critical part of that strategy," said Bud Ris, President and CEO of the New England Aquarium. "By donating these Renewable Energy Certificates, GDF SUEZ Energy Resources is not only helping us realize our vision, but also having a lasting impact on the global environment."

Each certificate represents all of the environmental attributes or benefits associated with a specific quantity of energy generated from a renewable source such as solar or wind. In addition to helping reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the acquisition of these credits on behalf of the Aquarium will help to encourage development of domestic sources of cleaner, renewable energy. Green-e© is the nation's leading independent certification and verification program for renewable energy and greenhouse gas emission reductions in the retail market.

More than 1.3 million people visit the Aquarium annually, making it the second-most visited  educational attraction in New England. In addition to having more than 30,000 animals in over 70 exhibits on display, the Aquarium reaches out to 120,000 students per year; provides resources and training to over 3,000 teachers; and undertakes research and conservation work worldwide.

GDF SUEZ Energy Resources NA is one of the largest non-residential retail energy suppliers in the U.S. and currently serves commercial and industrial customers in 12 markets: Delaware, Texas, Massachusetts, Maine, Maryland, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Connecticut, Ohio, and Washington, D.C. The company serves over 73,000 accounts for customers having a peak demand ranging from 50 KW to more than 200 MW, with an estimated peak load totaling nearly 10,000 MW. 

For more about GDF SUEZ Energy Resources, visit www.gdfsuezenergyresources.com or call 1-866-999-8374.  Follow GDF SUEZ Energy Resources on LinkedIn, Twitter: @GDFSUEZEnergy and Facebook.

GDF SUEZ Energy Resources is part of International Power, which in North America manages a range of energy businesses in the U.S., Mexico, and Canada, including electricity generation and cogeneration, natural gas and liquefied natural gas (LNG) distribution and sales, asset-based trading and origination, and retail energy sales and related services to commercial and industrial customers.

International Power is listed on the London Stock Exchange with ticker symbol IPR. GDF SUEZ holds a 70% interest in International Power plc. For more information, please visit www.iprplc-gdfsuez.com and www.gdfsuez.com.

SOURCE GDF SUEZ Energy Resources NA