Philadelphia International Airport Makes Largest Renewable Energy Purchase Among Nation's Airports

PECO Wind Program to Supply Environmentally-Friendly Energy

(PHILADELPHIA, PA) – Philadelphia International Airport today announced a landmark purchase of clean, renewable wind energy. Joined by Philadelphia Mayor John Street at a conference in the Airport’s International Terminal A-West, Airport leaders committed to the largest renewable energy purchase among airports nationwide. The Airport will purchase Pennsylvania-generated wind power from the PECO Wind program to supply a portion of its annual energy use for the next five years.

"The City of Philadelphia is proud that a growing, modern airport such as Philadelphia International is embracing clean energy that will better the lives of Philadelphians and provide a green legacy for years to come," said Mayor Street.

The purchase of 13,000 megawatt hours (MWh) per year of clean, renewable wind power qualifies the Airport for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Green Power Partnership and equates to the electricity consumption of more than 1,300 typical homes. Compared to the average generation mix in the regional electric grid, this purchase has the environmental equivalent of offsetting more than 14 million pounds of carbon dioxide – the equivalent of planting more than 970,000 trees, or not driving more than 12 million miles.

Charles Isdell, the City’s Director of Aviation, said, "Philadelphia International Airport strives to stay on the cutting edge of environmental stewardship. The use of PECO wind energy to reduce carbon emissions is just one of the many ways in which we work to make our surroundings healthier and more attractive for our passengers, employees and our neighbors in the Greater Philadelphia region."

"We are so pleased with the Airport’s purchase of PECO WIND," said Denis O’Brien, President of PECO. "We believe in providing our customers with many choices, including a choice in how their electricity is generated. Philadelphia International Airport has chosen to help lead the market, and we are proud to welcome them as one of our newest and largest PECO Wind customers."

More than 34,000 customers have chosen to purchase PECO WIND, placing it seventh on the Department of Energy’s list of Top Ten Utility Green Power Programs. Since its launch in May 2004, PECO WIND has become one of the largest and fastest growing green power programs in the country. The environmental benefit is the same as planting about 5.3 million trees or not driving 68 million miles. Provided through a partnership with wind energy marketer and developer Community Energy, Inc., PECO WIND is a clean, environmentally-friendly wind power option for customers.

 Brent Alderfer, Executive Vice President of Community Energy, Inc., PECO’s wind energy supply partner, said, "We applaud Philadelphia International Airport for its decision to use PECO Wind energy. This landmark purchase sets them apart as a leader in their industry and sends the message that business growth and care for the environment can easily go hand in hand."

The first wind energy product offered by a utility in Pennsylvania, PECO WIND is available to PECO’s residential and business customers in Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, Philadelphia and York counties and is supplied by a new wind power facility in Waymart, PA, near the Poconos. PECO WIND is offered to residential customers in 100-kilowatt hour (kWh) blocks for an additional monthly fee of about $2.50 per block, added directly to customers' monthly PECO bill. For more information about PECO WIND or to sign up, customers can call 1-866-WIND-321, or visit www.pecowind.com.

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The Philadelphia Airport System is owned and operated by the City of Philadelphia and is composed of Philadelphia International Airport and Northeast Philadelphia Airport. The Airport System is a self-sustaining entity that operates without the use of local tax dollars. It is one of the largest economic engines in Pennsylvania, generating an estimated $14 billion in spending to the regional economy and employing a workforce of nearly 34,000. Visit the official Philadelphia International Airport website at http://www.phl.org.