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AT&T Strikes Major Corporate Renewable Energy Deal

power through two agreements with subsidiaries of NextEra Energy Resources, the world’s largest operator of renewable energy projects. Together, these deals constitute one of the largest corporate renewable energy purchases in the US. The agreement will see 220 MW of power sourced from the Minco V Wind Farm in Caddo County, Oklahoma, with the remaining 300 MW coming from a wind farm in Webb and Duval Counties in Texas. The projects are expected to generate savings equivalent to taking 350,595 passenger vehicles off the road or providing electricity for a quarter million homes in a year.

By Sustainable Brands | Published 8 years ago | About a 3 minute read

power through two agreements with subsidiaries of NextEra Energy Resources, the world’s largest operator of renewable energy projects. Together, these deals constitute one of the largest corporate renewable energy purchases in the US.

The agreement will see 220 MW of power sourced from the Minco V Wind Farm in Caddo County, Oklahoma, with the remaining 300 MW coming from a wind farm in Webb and Duval Counties in Texas. The projects are expected to generate savings equivalent to taking 350,595 passenger vehicles off the road or providing electricity for a quarter million homes in a year.

“As one of the world’s largest companies, we know how we source our energy is important,” said Scott Mair, President of AT&T Operations. “Many companies are focused on their own carbon footprint but we believe our industry can do more. We’ve been working for a long time to ensure our wind projects deliver for both our business and the environment. We will continue to explore renewable energy solutions to help create a better, more sustainable world.”

As part of the purchase, AT&T is also signing on to the Corporate Renewable Energy Buyers’ Principles. Led by the World Wildlife Fund, the group is made up of large energy buyers working to spur progress on renewable energy and fulfill their increased demand for it. The company is also a member of the Business Renewables Center, an initiative that, along with the Buyers’ Principles, forms part of the Renewable Energy Buyers Alliance.

“AT&T’s decision to scale up its use of renewable energy is a signal of the growing power of corporate demand to drive energy markets,” said Marty Spitzer, Senior Director of Renewable Energy and Climate at the World Wildlife Fund. “Big companies setting big commitments is key to driving our nation’s transition toward a clean energy future. AT&T is joining the ranks of companies for whom renewable energy is the new normal.”

“It’s clear that renewable energy presents a tremendous opportunity to power America’s companies with clean, affordable electricity and AT&T is helping to lead the way forward. Renewable projects like these also drive growth in rural communities, creating good jobs, providing additional revenue and generating positive economic impact,” said Mike O’Sullivan, SVP of Development at NextEra Energy Resources.

The large-scale renewable energy purchase is just one of the ways AT&T is working towards achieving its 2025 goal to deliver carbon savings 10 times the footprint of its operations. Since 2010, the company has implemented more than 65,000 energy efficiency projects resulting in annualized savings of $427 million. By the end of 2016, it reduced fleet emissions by 99,000 metric tons of CO2e and reduced the size of its domestic fleet by 1,800 vehicles.