The three-year commitment will offset carbon emissions in the City of Grand Rapids by 95,400 metric tons
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., August 18, 2021 – Vicinity Energy, owner and operator of the nation’s largest portfolio of district energy systems, announces that it has purchased carbon offsets for its Grand Rapids district energy operations offsetting carbon emissions in the City by 95,400 metric tons over a three-year period.
Vicinity Energy supplies space heating and cooling, domestic hot and chilled water, humidification, and sterilization to over 100 facilities located in downtown Grand Rapids. Through its efficient district energy operations, Vicinity currently reduces greenhouse gas emissions in Grand Rapids by 11,000 tons of carbon emissions annually, the equivalent of removing 2,400 cars from the road. The purchase of carbon offsets will allow Vicinity to further support the sustainability efforts of the City of Grand Rapids and the Grand Rapids 2030 District Plan, offsetting carbon emissions by an additional 95,400 metric tons over a three-year period, without any additional cost to customers.
“The City of Grand Rapids and building owners in downtown Grand Rapids have received low-carbon energy from our district network for over a century, and this purchase of carbon offsets reinforces our commitment to the City and our entire Grand Rapids customer base in delivering thermal energy that is both reliable and sustainable,” said JJ Loew, Vicinity Energy general manager in Grand Rapids. “We’re proud to continue our greening efforts alongside the City and all our customers to reduce carbon emissions and increase climate resilience in our community, so that future generations may thrive here for years to come.”
“Sustainability is one of the City’s core values. Since 2008, the City has reduced our carbon emissions by 30%, which exceeds the 26-28% Paris Climate Accord target for 2025, and we remain committed to further reducing carbon emissions,” said Alison Waske Sutter, Grand Rapids’ sustainability and performance management officer. “Vicinity’s purchase of carbon offsets supports our mutual goals to continue measurable progress toward reducing carbon emissions for both our city government operations and community in order to achieve the 2030 District’s target of net zero carbon by 2050.”
This milestone in Grand Rapids marks another key step forward for Vicinity in its efforts to further green its district energy systems nationwide, including its recent purchase of carbon-free electricity in Baltimore and the integration of renewable biogenic fuel into its energy mix. Together, these actions bring Vicinity closer to its goal of net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
About Vicinity Energy
With 19 district energy systems in 12 major cities, Vicinity Energy is the leading provider of district energy solutions in the U.S. Vicinity produces and distributes steam, hot water, and chilled water directly through its vast underground network to individual buildings and campuses. District energy eliminates the need for boiler and chiller plants in individual buildings, improving overall efficiency, lowering carbon footprints, and increasing reliability. Vicinity’s over 450 skilled engineers, operators, and energy experts have a singular dedication to customer success and a relentless focus on delivering reliable and efficient energy products and services. Vicinity is committed to achieving net zero carbon emissions across all operations by 2050. For more information about Vicinity or the company’s Clean Energy Future roadmap, check out www.vicinityenergy.us.
Media Contact
Sara DeMille
Senior Director of Marketing and Communications
media@vicinityenergy.us