Southwest Airlines lauded for green power purchase

The Dallas and Houston operations are purchasing nearly 16 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of Green power, which is enough to meet 30 percent of the factilities' purchased electricity use. Southwest Airlines' Dallas and Houston operations are buying renewable energy certificates (REC) from Reliant Energy.

Earlier, the EPA updated each of its National Top Partner lists, highlighting some of America's largest Green power purchasers. Southwest Airlines (Dallas & Houston Operations) currently ranks No. 32 on EPA's Fortune 500 List. Each list highlights EPA Green Power Partners that have completed the largest annual voluntary purchases through July 7.

Southwest Airlines (Dallas and Houston operations) is purchasing Green power in support of EPA's Fortune 500 Green Power Challenge. EPA is challenging Fortune 500 Corporations to collectively exceed 10 billion kilowatt-hours Green power purchasing by year-end 2009.

"This was a wonderful initiative by our Green Team, and we are proud to be recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency," said Gary Kelly, Southwest Airlines Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. "Purchasing Green power helps our Company become more sustainable, and it helps us in our mission to do the right thing by Our Planet, Our Communities, and Our People."

Green power is electricity that is generated from environmentally preferable renewable resources, such as wind, solar, geothermal, biogas, biomass and low-impact hydro. These resources generate electricity with a net zero increase in carbon dioxide emissions, while offering a superior environmental profile compared to traditional power generation sources. Green power purchases also support the development of new renewable energy generation sources nationwide.

"EPA commends our leading partners for their continued commitment to protecting the environment by using green power," said Kathleen Hogan, Director of the Climate Protection Partnerships Division at EPA. "By supporting green power, Southwest Airlines is reducing its greenhouse gas emissions, supporting clean energy technologies, and contributing to a clean energy future."