August 1, 2008—Exelon Corporation, one of the nation’s largest utilities, recently unveiled a comprehensive environmental plan that it says sets the standard for environmental action by a major US energy utility. Called “Exelon 2020: A Low-Carbon Roadmap,” (.pdf file) the plan details an enterprise-wide approach and a host of initiatives being pursued by the Exelon family of companies to reduce Exelon’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and those of its customers, communities, suppliers, and markets.
Exelon 2020 sets a goal of reducing, offsetting or displacing more than 15 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions (in carbon dioxide-equivalent terms) per year by 2020. This is more than the company’s current annual carbon footprint and is reportedly equivalent to taking nearly 3 million cars off American roads and highways.
Exelon is pursuing three broad strategies:
- Reduce or offset Exelon’s own carbon footprint by reducing energy consumption and operating to the highest environmental standards in every aspect of internal operations and the supply chain.
- Help customers and the communities Exelon serves reduce their greenhouse gas emissions through industry-leading energy efficiency programs and a diverse portfolio of green products and services.
- Offer more low-carbon electricity in the marketplace by expanding the capacity of its existing low-carbon generation fleet and introducing new low-carbon capacity. This will allow Exelon to displace other, higher-emitting sources of generation and thereby reduce overall emissions.
A sampling of programs under Exelon 2020 includes:
- reducing energy consumption across portfolio of buildings by 25%
- engaging suppliers on environmental initiatives and seek voluntary disclosures of their GHG emissions and energy consumption.
- implementing a $250 million, three-year energy efficiency plan by ComEd and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity targeting residential and commercial energy savings through more-efficient lighting, heating, and cooling; appliance recycling; weatherization; and energy audits.
- expanding green product and service offerings to wholesale and retail customers.
- growing the utility’s portfolio of solar, wind, biomass and landfill-gas generation.
Exelon Corporation notes that appropriate public policies are crucial to the success of Exelon 2020.
