NEW CITY, NY – Rockland County officials announce that Rockland County has been listed as No. 21 on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) Top 30 Local Government list of the largest green power users from the Green Power Partnership (GPP).

Engie Power & Gas is providing Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) based on U.S. generated wind power to the County of Rockland and the Rockland County Sewer District No. 1. along with Rockland Community College and the Rockland County Solid Waste Management Authority in separate contracts.

By moving the needle in the voluntary green power market, Rockland County and other Green Power Partners are helping to reduce the negative health impacts of air emissions including those related to ozone, fine particles, acid rain, and regional haze.

“We are proud to be recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for our green power use,” said Rockland County Executive Ed Day. “By making the choice to use green power, we are reducing greenhouse gas emissions, while also sending a message to others that using green power is smart for government and for taxpayers.”

Purchasing Director Paul Brennan stated, “As part of the County’s Shared Service Initiative, the County’s solicitation and contract award allows other local governments to ‘piggyback’ on the County contract pricing, thereby eliminating the need for the local government to issue their own cooperative bid.

“This list of the largest users of green power across the nation is proof that good business practices can also benefit the environment,” said James Critchfield, Program Manager of EPA’s Green Power Partnership. “EPA applauds the leading organizations in the Green Power Partnership’s Top Partner Rankings for their notable commitment to expanding their use of green power and protecting the environment.”

According to the U.S. EPA, Rockland County’s green power use of more than 35 million kWh is equivalent to the annual electricity use of more than 3,000 average American homes. This includes the energy use of the County of Rockland and the Rockland County Sewer District No. 1. Annual savings from green power energy use are projected to be $79,257 for the County and $95,118 for the Rockland County Sewer District, No. 1.