EPA names top green corporations

WASHINGTON, July 27 (UPI) -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recognized 20 entities Monday for running on their own green power.

Combined, the top 20 corporations generate and consume more than 736 million kilowatt hours of on-site green power annually -- the equivalent of the electricity needed to power more than 61,000 U.S. homes annually, the EPA said in a news release.

"These companies are leading a nationwide move to the clean energy economy, one that can create millions of jobs, reduce our dependence on foreign oil, and protect against global climate change," EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson said. "Our Green Power Partnership leaders are setting the standard for our clean energy future."

The top five green-power entities -- Kimberly-Clark Corp., Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts, the city of San Diego, the San Jose-Santa Clara, Calif., Water Pollution Control Plant and CalPortland building materials company -- consumed and generated the greatest amount of on-site green power, prevented carbon dioxide emissions equivalent 70,000 vehicles' emissions per year, EPA said.

EPA's Green Power Partnership works with more than 1,100 partner organizations to voluntarily purchase green power to reduce the environmental impacts of conventional electricity use.