FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACTS:
Bryan Welch, publisher: 785-274-4308, bwelch@ogdenpubs.com
Brandy Ernzen, brand manager: 785-274-4304, bernzen@ogdenpubs.com 

Ogden Publications offsets 100 percent of electricity use
Environmental Protection Agency recognizes sustainable-lifestyle publisher for its latest green initiative

TOPEKA, Kan. (May 26, 2009) — Ogden Publications, the largest and longest-running publisher in the green community, today reports it has offset 100 percent of its electricity usage by purchasing 2.4 million kilowatt-hours of renewable energy credits (RECs). The investment offsets two years of electricity usage for its offices in Kansas and Minnesota, and printing of its 10 publications in Tennessee and Minnesota.

“Our readers expect genuine environmental stewardship from us. Choosing renewable energy credits is one way we can support the technologies and policies we promote in our magazines,” says Bryan Welch, publisher and editorial director of Ogden Publications. 

With this purchase, Ogden Publications becomes the largest 100-percent purchaser of green power among publishers in the Environmental Protection Agency’s Green Power Partnership, a voluntary program that supports the organizational procurement of green power. According to EPA, Ogden’s purchase helps avoid carbon-dioxide emissions similar to that produced by driving nearly 1.6 million miles or powering 120 average American homes for one year.

RECs help get more clean power online by subsidizing clean-energy development. To ease costs associated with building new facilities, every renewable-energy developer considers REC income as part of its business plan. The credits help produce more clean energy and reduce prices to levels competitive with electricity generated from fossil fuels.

Ogden’s credits support a mix of wind, small-scale hydroelectric and biomass energy-creation projects in Florida, Kansas, Maine and West Virginia. Ogden chose Boulder, Colo.-based Renewable Choice Energy as the broker for the purchase. Renewable Choice also ensures all RECs for these projects are certified by Green-e Energy, the leading third-party standard for renewable energy credit certification.

“Ogden Publications is setting itself apart with its investment in wind power and is bringing awareness to the need to grow our renewable energy infrastructure,” says Quayle Hodek, CEO of Renewable Choice Energy. “Wind power development helps fight climate change, supports rural communities and increases our energy independence.”

In addition to purchasing RECs, Ogden continues to increase the energy efficiency of its buildings and vehicles with the goal of becoming carbon neutral.

For more information on Ogden Publications’ green initiatives, go to http://www.motherearthnews.com/press-room/green-initiatives/green-initiatives.aspx.

About Ogden Publications Inc.
Ogden Publications Inc. (www.OgdenPubs.com), based in Topeka, Kan., is the leading information resource serving the sustainable living, rural lifestyle, farm memorabilia and classic motorcycle communities. Its brands include industry authorities Mother Earth News, Natural Home, Utne Reader, The Herb Companion, Capper’s, Grit, Farm Collector, Gas Engine Magazine, Motorcycle Classics and Good Things to Eat. In addition to its media portfolio, Ogden Publications offers a complete line of individual accident, health and life insurance and annuity products through its Capper’s Insurance Service division. Capper’s Insurance Service serves individuals in Kansas, Nebraska, Missouri and Iowa.

About Renewable Choice Energy
Renewable Choice (www.RenewableChoice.com) helps businesses and individuals understand and reduce their environmental impact with renewable energy and other clean technology solutions. The firm is the leading supplier of green power for LEED buildings, delivering clean energy to more than 850 LEED building projects across the country, and to the green building market.

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