PHOENIX, ARIZ. (May 28, 2008) - ARAMARK Parks
& Resorts, a division of ARAMARK Harrison Lodging, today
announced that it has chosen Renewable Choice Energy, the
award-winning, full-service provider of renewable energy credits
and carbon offsets, and Bonneville Environmental Foundation, to
continue its traditional energy offset program. In 2007,
ARAMARK began offsetting 100 percent of its traditional energy
consumption with alternative energy solutions at its national and
state park managed properties.
ARAMARK has purchased 17,152,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of green
power in Renewable Energy Credits (RECs). The U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency estimates that this purchase helps avoid the same
amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions produced by nearly 2,442
passenger vehicles annually. ARAMARK Parks & Resorts currently
ranks 29th on EPA's Fortune 500 list, highlighting EPA Green Power
Partners that completed the largest annual voluntary purchases
through Jan. 8, 2008.
"ARAMARK recognizes the importance of educating our guests on how
they can do their small part to reduce their environmental
footprint in a manner that protects and restores our Nation's
natural, cultural and historical resources for the enjoyment,
education and inspiration of this and future generations," said
Bruce Fears, president of ARAMARK Harrison Lodging. "Renewable
Choice Energy's emphasis on education and outreach falls in line
with the initiatives of our existing PlanetEVERgreen program and we
see this as the beginning of a lasting partnership that will
eventually affect additional business units within ARAMARK."
ARAMARK is committed to the environment through its
PlanetEVERgreen program, the official name for ARAMARK Parks &
Resorts' environmental management program, which influences every
aspect of the company's business, from building design, guest
education, recycling and waste reduction to purchasing and
procurement.
"RECs play an important role in providing the financing that helps
get more renewable energy projects built," said Quayle Hodek, CEO
of Renewable Choice Energy. "Corporate REC purchases by responsible
companies such as ARAMARK are helping to move our nation towards a
more sustainable energy future. We look forward to partnering
with ARAMARK and continuing to help companies drive the development
of renewable energy infrastructure."
Working with Renewable Choice allows ARAMARK to implement
consumer-facing programs at the property level. Renewable Choice
Energy prides itself on leading the industry with creative and
impactful initiatives that are communicated directly to the public
being affected by the initiatives. ARAMARK chose Renewable Choice
because it partners with clients to develop customized outreach
programs that educate, engage and empower their audience to take
action. It is the ultimate goal that ARAMARK customers will take an
active role in helping to preserve the environment and working with
Renewable Choice will ensure that objective is reached.
ARAMARK's Denali Park Resorts in Alaska and all three
ARAMARK-managed properties within the Olympic Peninsula of
Washington will continue to purchase renewable energy certificates
from Bonneville Environmental Foundation, a pioneer in developing
the market for renewable energy certificates.
For more information on ARAMARK Parks & Resorts' Renewable
Energy Credits or PlanetEVERgreen initiatives, please log on to www.aramarkharrisonlodging.com.
About ARAMARK Harrison Lodging and ARAMARK Parks &
Resorts
ARAMARK Harrison Lodging, a division of ARAMARK, provides a wide
range of professional services, including meeting and recreational
support services to 50 conference and corporate training centers,
specialty hotels, national and state parks, resorts and other
tourist destinations throughout the United States. ARAMARK
Harrison Lodging is a single source provider for educational
environments, event and meeting planning, premium dining needs and
catering, onsite restaurants, retail merchandise sales and
facilities management. For more information on ARAMARK
Harrison Lodging, please log on to www.aramarkharrisonlodging.com.
ARAMARK Parks & Resorts, a concessioner of the National Park
Service, provides food and recreational services to national and
state parks and tourist attractions throughout the United States
including Lake Powell, Mesa Verde, Denali and Shenandoah National
Park. For More information on ARAMARK Parks & Resorts, please
log on to www.aramarkparks.com.
About ARAMARK
ARAMARK is a leader in professional services, providing
award-winning food services, facilities management, and uniform and
career apparel to health care institutions, universities and school
districts, stadiums and arenas, and businesses around the
world. In FORTUNE magazine's list of "America's Most Admired
Companies," ARAMARK has consistently ranked as one of the top three
most admired companies in its industry and also ranked first in its
industry in the 2007 FORTUNE 500 survey. ARAMARK seeks to
responsibly address issues that matter to its clients, customers,
employees and communities by focusing on employee advocacy,
environmental stewardship, health and wellness, and community
involvement. Headquartered in Philadelphia, ARAMARK has
approximately 250,000 employees serving clients in 19
countries. Learn more at the company's Web site, www.aramark.com.
About Renewable Choice Energy
Boulder, Colo.-based Renewable Choice Energy (www.renewablechoice.com)
is the awardwinning, full-service provider of renewable energy and
carbon offsets. Founded in 2001, Renewable Choice's clients
include Whole Foods Market, Vail Resorts, hundreds of businesses
and organizations, and thousands of individuals across the country.
In 2006, Renewable Choice shared the Beacon Prize with Whole Foods
Market for their campaign to educate customers about wind power.
Renewable Choice is the leading renewable energy supplier to green
building projects nationwide.