Drexel has been named the 2012-13 Individual Conference Champion of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s College & University Green Power Challenge for using more green power than any other school in the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA).

Drexel beat its conference rivals by using more than 84 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of green power, representing 100 percent of the University’s annual electricity usage. Drexel purchases renewable energy certificates from Community Energy, which helps to reduce the environmental impacts associated with the campus’ electricity use.

“EPA applauds Drexel University as the Colonial Athletic Association Conference Champion for the fourth year in a row in the College and University Green Power Challenge,” said Blaine Collison, director of EPA’s Green Power Partnership. “By using 100 percent wind power on its campus, Drexel is reducing carbon pollution and demonstrating exceptional environmental leadership.”

According to the EPA, Drexel’s green power use is equivalent to avoiding the the carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions from the electricity use of nearly 9,000 American homes annually, or the CO₂ emissions of more than 12,000 vehicles per year. The CAA’s collective green power purchase was more than 101 million kWh.

Since April 2006, EPA’s Green Power Partnership has tracked and recognized the collegiate athletic conferences with the highest combined green power purchases in the nation. The Individual Conference Champion Award recognizes the school that has made the largest individual purchase of green power within a qualifying conference. For more information, visit epa.gov/greenpower/initiatives/cu_challenge.htm.

Earlier this year, the EPA awarded Drexel membership to the 2013 Green Power Leadership Club, an elite group of Green Power Partners who demonstrate exemplary environmental leadership. The minimum green power purchase requirements to be a member of the Leadership Club are 10 times greater than the purchase requirements for the Green Power Partnership. Drexel is one of the Top 10 green power purchasers among colleges and universities nationwide.

Drexel is committed to protecting the needs of future generations, promoting excellence in environmental stewardship and sustainability, and encouraging individual members of the University community to develop approaches to their work and lifestyles that improve the Earth’s health. In the spirit of that sustainability commitment, Drexel will host its annual Earth Day Block Party celebration on Monday, April 22, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on all three of its Philadelphia campuses.

The Drexel Sustainability Council, along with student groups, academic departments, administrative offices and local organizations dedicated to sustainability, will set up tables along Lancaster Walk behind the Drexel Recreation Center between 33rd and 34th streets with information, games and giveaways celebrating Earth Day. Smaller events will be held simultaneously at Drexel’s Center City and Queen Lane Campuses. For more information, visit drexel.edu/green/programs_earthday.html.