BALTIMORE, June 22, 2021 – Vicinity Energy, Vicinity Energy, owner of the nation’s largest portfolio of district energy systems, announces that all the electricity the company purchases for its Baltimore District operations is now carbon-free. Vicinity has entered into an agreement with Constellation, a leading competitive energy provider, to purchase Emission-Free Energy Certificates (EFECs) to match 100% of its annual Baltimore electricity use starting this year.
Vicinity Energy centrally produces and distributes steam, hot water and chilled water to over 30 million square feet of building space in Baltimore. Through a long-term supply agreement, over 50% of the steam delivered to customers is derived from zero-carbon non-fossil fuel-based renewables. This has already resulted in greenhouse gas emissions reductions in the region by 30,000 tons annually, or the equivalent of removing about 11,000 cars from Baltimore’s roads every year.
Now, the company has transitioned to purchasing 100% carbon-free electricity to run its heating and cooling operations in the city. This change is expected to eliminate approximately 6,500 metric tons of carbon emissions associated with the company’s electricity use annually, the equivalent of taking 1,415 cars off the road per year.
EFECs represent the emissions-free attributes of generating sources that do not directly emit greenhouse gases, such as sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide, or carbon dioxide. The EFECs purchased by Vicinity Energy are sourced from facilities located in the PJM Interconnection. The generation source does not emit carbon dioxide into the environment. EFECs are tracked and reported through PJM Environmental Information Services’ Generation Attribute Tracking System (GATS).
“Simply put, we can now purchase electricity generated without fossil fuels to run our Baltimore operations,” said Bill DiCroce, president and CEO of Vicinity Energy. “We have been able to source our electricity from emissions-free sources. As we enter Baltimore’s famously hot summers, this will have a significant beneficial impact on our cooling operations; slashing carbon emissions, improving air quality, and moving us tangibly toward our overall goal of reaching net zero carbon emissions across our entire business by 2050. We’re privileged to keep Baltimore residents cool in the summer and warm in the winter, and with this milestone, we can do it in an even cleaner, greener way.” “Constellation is pleased to support the sustainability goals of our customers,” said Daniel J. Verbanac, senior vice president, retail, for Constellation. “Voluntarily matching electricity supply requirements with a carbon-free power generation source encourages the use of clean, emission-free fuels, and demonstrates a commitment to the environment.”
This announcement comes on the heels of several other recent moves by Vicinity Energy to green its district energy systems, including the incorporation of renewable biogenic heating oil, as it continues on its path to net zero carbon emissions.
About Vicinity Energy
Vicinity Energy is a clean energy company that owns and operates an extensive portfolio of district energy systems across the United States. Vicinity produces and distributes reliable, clean steam, hot water, and chilled water to over 230 million square feet of building space nationwide. Vicinity continuously invests in its infrastructure and the latest technologies to accelerate the decarbonization of commercial and institutional buildings in city centers. Vicinity is committed to achieving net zero carbon across its portfolio by 2050. To learn more, visit https://www.vicinityenergy.us or follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook.
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Vicinity Energy
Sara DeMille
Marketing and Communications
857-955-5073
sara.demille@vicinityenergy.us
