NREL is the U.S. Department of Energy's primary national laboratory for renewable energy and energy efficiency research and development. Using information provided by nearly 600 utilities across the nation, NREL develops "Top 10" rankings of utility programs in the following categories: total sales (MWhs) of renewable energy to program participants, total number of customer participants, customer participation rate, and the lowest price premium charged to support new renewables development.

“We thank and applaud the Santa Clara community for making this program a national success, indicating the pride our residents take in our City,” said Patricia Mahan, City of Santa Clara Mayor. “We are excited to be recognized at the national level. By offering a clean energy option through our utility, the City strives to give its residents and businesses community-oriented, sustainable and affordable electricity choices.”

Santa Clara Green Power customers have prevented the release of 5,114 tons of carbon dioxide, a key greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming. This has a similar environmental benefit to removing 985 cars from the road each year or planting 1,522 acres of trees.

“I am deeply thankful to the city for offering the Green Power option. Since I drive a long way to work everyday, my participation in the renewable program makes me feel a little less guilty,” said Nisha Srinivasan, Santa Clara Green Power customer. “I am confident that SVP will remain progressive in its offerings and continue to provide affordable energy.”

In addition to the successful residential enrollment, Santa Clara Green Power has attracted two Fortune 500 companies–Agilent Technologies and Applied Materials–as well as Santa Clara University, supporting the idea that renewable energy commitments make good business sense. Currently, only a few dozen Fortune 500 corporations procure renewable energy in the United States.

Silicon Valley Power partners with 3 Phases Energy, a renewable energy company, for both the renewable energy supply and marketing services for its Santa Clara Green Power program. Three out of the Top 10 by participation rate in green pricing programs in the country contracted with renewable energy companies for these services in 2005, demonstrating the success that comes with collaboration between a utility and other renewable companies.

On behalf of Santa Clara Green Power program participants, SVP purchases renewable energy credits from newly constructed wind farms and solar photovoltaic projects in California. In addition, a portion of the Santa Clara Green Power rate supports new solar facility installations in the City of Santa Clara, such as the Haman Elementary School project.

Silicon Valley Power is the trademark adopted for use by the century-old Electric Department of the City of Santa Clara, California. Silicon Valley Power provides power for more than 50,000 customers, including Applied Materials, Intel and National Semiconductor. It also is an active participant in the wholesale energy markets in the Western United States. Visit www.siliconvalleypower.com for more information.

Santa Clara Green Power is a voluntary renewable energy program offered by Silicon Valley Power to all residential, commercial, and industrial customers within Santa Clara as a way to support energy generated from 100% clean wind and solar power resources at a low additional cost of 1.5 cents per kilowatt-hour. Santa Clara utility customers can enroll in Santa Clara Green Power by signing up through the secure website at www.siliconvalleypower.com; sending an email that includes the customer's name, address, account and phone number to green@siliconvalleypower.com; or by calling (408) 244-SAVE (7283).