Fast-Food Chains Power up with 100% Renewable Energy

Source GreenBiz.com
URL: http://www.greenbiz.com/news/news_third.cfm?NewsID=28589

VANCOUVER, Wash., Aug. 16, 2005 - The Holland, Inc., owner of Burgerville and Noodlin' restaurants throughout Northwest Oregon and Southwest Washington, has committed to use renewable wind power to provide 100% of its electricity needs, both at its chain stores and also at its corporate headquarters in Vancouver. The adoption of wind power for the company's Burgerville restaurants represents the largest national implementation of renewable wind power within a quick-service restaurant chain.

The Holland, Inc. and its restaurants are purchasing wind power from Portland General Electric (PGE), Pacific Power, Clark Public Utilities, Columbia River People's Utility District (PUD), Cowlitz Public Utility District (PUD) and Green Tags from the Bonneville Environmental Foundation (BEF). By utilizing wind power, The Holland, Inc. and its restaurants will avoid adding 17.4 million pounds of CO2 to the region annually. Eliminating this volume of the harmful greenhouse gas is the equivalent of taking approximately 1,700 cars off the road or reducing the number of miles driven in the region by 19 million.

"Our approach to running a successful restaurant is based on putting guests, employees and communities first," said Jeff Harvey, chief operating officer, The Holland, Inc. "From the innovation of our food concepts, to the use of fresh and sustainable local ingredients, and now with the selection of wind power for our restaurants and offices, we remain committed to business practices that benefit our guests and enhance the communities we live in."

The renewable energy supplied to The Holland, Inc. for its green power commitment will come from large-scale wind farms located throughout the Pacific Northwest (primarily Eastern Washington and Oregon).