Odyssey Press, Inc. to Offset 100% of Its Electrical Energy Power Through Renewable Energy Credits
2008-11-03 Gonic, NH, March, 11 2008 - Odyssey Press, Inc. announced today that it has committed to offset 100% of its electrical energy usage with renewable energy credits (RECs) from the non-profit, Bonneville Environmental Foundation (BEF) through its Zephyr Energy program. The RECs purchased from BEF RECs are Green-e Energy Certified and will be a mix of 50% wind energy from across North America, and 50% low impact certified hydropower from the Bowersock Mill and Power Company in Kansas. Odyssey's purchase will support RECs equal to 775,000 pounds of carbon not being emitted into the air and 554,000 kilowatt-hours of clean and renewable energy entering the power grid annually.
According to Kevin Pirkey, Vice President, "Odyssey Press has made sustainability a central part of its business since it was founded in 1989. Our fundamental business model enables our clients to align their print production with actual market demand. By using ultrashort run and print-on-demand manufacturing methods, excess inventory never languishes in a warehouse, and books and journals need not be remaindered or recycled” rather, excess inventory is never produced. This is the most environmentally responsible form of print production possible.
"Our purchase of 100% BEF RECs, when combined with our existing efforts, takes our organization yet another significant step forward in making the production of books, journals, and article reprints a truly sustainable process." Said Tad Parker, President, Odyssey Press. "This latest decision affirms our commitment to an environmentally sustainable business model." In addition to renewable energy, Odyssey Press is an FSC certified printer, and offers a wide variety of recycled papers with 10-100% post consumer waste.
BEF RECs are designed to allow for investment in new renewable energy projects in North America. A portion of all BEF sales revenue supports solar power demonstration projects for schools and public buildings. These solar array projects include an informational and real-time data monitoring kiosk and in-depth teacher educational guides and solar activities. RECs are created when renewable energy sources“ such as low-impact hydro and wind power“ are substituted for energy traditionally generated by burning fossil fuels, such as coal, oil, or natural gas. All BEF RECs and carbon offset products are independently certified by Green-e.
In addition to offsetting all of our electrical energy used throughout our facility and production operations, Odyssey will be offering its customers the ability to offset the distribution of their publications whether by mail, local or international freight. Anyone interested in joining our efforts can request additional information by contacting Odyssey at info@odysseypress.com.
About Odyssey Press, Inc.
Odyssey Press, Inc. is the Original ultrashort-run digital printer celebrating its 20th year of innovation within the publishing community. We specialize in the progressive use of technology, and digitally print publications in quantities of 1 to 1,000 copies. From our facility in Gonic, NH, we provide complete prepress, digital printing, bindery, mailing, and fulfillment services to scientific, technical, medical, and scholarly publishers. Odyssey Press is the leading provider of digitally printed journals domestically and globally through the International Printers Network (IPN). www.odysseypress.com
About Bonneville Environmental Foundation
The Bonneville Environmental Foundation (BEF), a Portland, Ore.-based nonprofit organization, was established in 1998 to further the development and use of new renewable energy resources and restore watershed ecosystems. Through revenues generated from the sale of green power products, BEF funds projects that support new renewable energy projects from solar, wind and biomass and restore damaged watersheds. Revenues generated from its sales of Green Tags directly support additional new watershed restoration and renewable energy projects such as the national Solar4RSchools program. More information is available www.b-e-f.org.
About Zephyr Energy
Zephyr Energy is a program of the non-profit, Bonneville Environmental Foundation (BEF) with a mission to increase the use of energy from renewable resources. BEF partners with The Bowersock Mills and Power Co. of Lawrence, Kansas to create a mix of renewable power from the Bowersock dam and wnd power sourced from across the West. The goal is to support renewable power sources located in the central states region that are also sited in environmentally friendly areas. Participants in the Zephyr Energy program will help make this possible. Zephyr Energy reinvests 10% of each carbon offset purchase in demonstration solar projects in Kansas, such as the solar array at Southwest Junior High School in Lawrence. To offset your business or home energy use, auto and air travel or to calculate your carbon footprint, visit www.zephyrenergy.org.
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Media Contacts:
Kevin Pirkey
Odyssey Press, Inc.
717-225-9477
Sarah Hill-Nelson
Bowersock Mills and Power Company
785-766-0884
shillnelson@zephyrenergy.org
Jack Hardy, APR
Bonneville Environmental Foundation
503-248-1905
jackhardy@b-e-f.org
