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Microsoft announced last year that the software giant would be “carbon neutral” across all of their data centers, software development labs, air travel, and office buildings. Now, Microsoft has placed second in EPA’s Green Power Partnership Top 50 list. This marks the second year in a row that Microsoft has made this illustrious list.
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For those curious, EPA generates this list from a wide variety of organizations, including Fortune 500 companies, local, state, and federal governments, and colleges/universities. In this years list, EPA mentions that Microsoft has purchased nearly 1.9 billion kWh of green power, which is enough power to meet 80% of Microsoft’s electricity needs in the United States.
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The idea is simple. Using green power rather than electricity helps reduce the environmental impact of electricity use. “In addition to our spot on the National Top 50 list, we also appear as number 2 on the Top 20 Tech & Telecom list. Our green energy use also qualifies Microsoft for EPA’s Green Power Leadership Club, a distinction given to organizations that have significantly exceeded EPA’s minimum purchase requirements,” Microsoft stated in an official blog post.
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Microsoft has mentioned that issues of energy use and environmental change provides an opportunity to make a difference in the world. And thats exactly what Microsoft is set out to do because “its the right thing to do.” Microsoft also wants to promote a positive change to reduce their environmental footprint. Making EPA’s list only provides that Microsoft is headed in the right direction.
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