A number of businesses throughout the country have used renewable energy initiatives as a way to promote their businesses while reducing their carbon footprint. Izzy’s Ice Cream in St. Paul, MN is one of my favorites. Izzy’s started its “High Noon Solar” project in 2004. Izzy’s uses 200 solar panels to offset the energy needed to produce their ice cream. “This project is set to cut Izzy's peak power demand by 30%.” The owners of Izzy’s also plan on using this system to “educate the public about solar energy” and “sponsoring a $500 annual grant to individuals or businesses who wish to install solar energy systems in the Twin Cities metro area.”
http://izzysicecream.com/solarproject/
New Belgium Brewing (the makers of my brother’s favorite beer Fat Tire) also have a commitment to sustainable energy in the production of their products. New Belgium Brewing has committed to using four categories to meet their goals of reducing their carbon footprint: energy conservation, on-site power generation, purchased green power and REC’s and offsets. Energy conservation is viewed by the company as the most important component of reducing the carbon footprint of their operation. “The most sustainable watt is the watt never produced, and conservation is usually the most pleasing option financially.” Next New Belgium works toward producing renewable power on site. They have a large solar power array on site, which generates 3% of their total electricity. They also have an on-site water treatment plant. The byproduct of this plant is methane gas, which is collected and piped back to the brewery to power a heat and power engine. “This engine can produce up to 15% of our electrical needs and turns a waste stream into a source of energy.” New Belgium Brewery also subscribes to the local wind program and purchases renewable energy credits.
http://www.newbelgium.com/culture/alternatively_empowered/sustainable-business-story.aspx
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