U.S. Companies’ Continued Investments in Energy Efficiency Good For Business, Say Corporate Execs on Capitol Hill Panel

Green Initiatives Curb Carbon Emissions, Create Jobs, Help Sustain Planet

U.S. companies are continuing to invest in energy efficiency and to incorporate sustainable practices that will lower their future carbon emissions while creating jobs and helping their own bottom lines, corporate executives told a Capitol Hill gathering today. These measures are part of the companies’ overall efforts to help the nation regain its economic footing, according to executives and energy efficiency advocates addressing the topic, Corporate Sustainability, The Environment and Economic Recovery - Investing for the Future. The panel discussion was sponsored by the Alliance to Save Energy and the Committee for Economic Development (CED).

Panelists included Rep. Zach Wamp (R-Tenn.) of the House Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Caucus and an Alliance Board honorary vice-chair; Rep. Steve Israel (D-N.Y.) of the Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition and also an Alliance honorary vice-chair; David Gardiner, senior advisor with the UN Foundation Energy Coalition; Charlene Lake, AT&T Chief Sustainability Officer; Curtis Etherly, vice president of public affairs for Coca-Cola Enterprises; Alliance President Kateri Callahan; and CED President Charles Kolb.

The panelists discussed the innovative approaches that leading companies are taking to incorporate eco-friendly policies that save energy, lower energy waste and create new jobs while contributing to economic and environmental sustainability for years to come.

“As we all work towards a sustainable, healthy economy, it is clear that cost-effective energy efficiency measures are the keys to both improving a company’s bottom line and reducing its carbon footprint,” said Callahan. “Today’s discussion leaves no doubt that lowering energy use and costs are winning strategies for business and for the planet. We commend the companies represented here for their efforts towards long-term sustainability.”

“CED is dedicated to promoting sustained economic growth and development to benefit all Americans,” said CED President, Charlie Kolb. “The companies here today have shown great leadership in their commitment to investing in green initiatives, and we will continue to see more jobs created as a result.”

“AT&T has long been committed to social progress, economic growth and environmental stewardship, with a long history of strengthening the communities in which we live and work,” said Charlene Lake. “We are working to minimize our own environmental impact and are providing our customers with products and services that enable them to minimize their own environmental impacts.”

“At Coca-Cola Enterprises, we’ve fully integrated Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability into our business,” said Etherly. “Particularly in our environmental focus areas of water stewardship, energy conservation/climate change, and sustainable packaging/recycling, we are investing in technology that will help us capture operational efficiencies, drive effectiveness and eliminate waste, while simultaneously protecting the environment.”