NEW YORK -- L'Oréal USA has joined the ranks of the EPA's Green Power Partnership, which recognizes the company as one of the nation's leading green power users.
L'Oréal USA is using nearly 27 million kilowatt-hours of green power annually, which is enough green power to meet 33 percent of its electricity use. The company's green power comes primarily from on-site solar arrays at eight of its facilities as well as utility green power products. This multifaceted approach demonstrates L'Oréal USA's commitment to cleaner renewable energy alternatives and positions it as the second largest user of on-site green power amongst consumer products companies within the Green Power Partnership.
L'Oréal's drive for increased renewable energy use is an important facet of the company's global sustainability strategy, Sharing Beauty with All. Under the program, L'Oréal has made a global commitment that by 2020 it will reduce its CO2 emissions in the United States by 60 percent from its 2005 baseline. L'Oréal USA reached its goal of a 60 percent reduction at the end of 2015 and has continued to accelerate its carbon reduction strategy.
"We are proud to be recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for our renewable energy achievements," said Fréderic Rozé, President and CEO of L'Oréal USA. "As the world's beauty leader, it is our responsibility to integrate sustainability into all areas of our business and this partnership signifies the company's ongoing effort to identify cleaner sources of power."
According to the U.S. EPA, L'Oréal USA's green power use of nearly 27 million kWh is equivalent to the electricity use of nearly 3,150 average American homes annually.
"EPA is excited to welcome L'Oréal USA as a Green Power Partner and applauds their use of on-site green power and taking a leadership position on the environment," said James Critchfield, Manager of the Green Power Partnership. "L'Oréal USA is helping to support the voluntary renewable energy market, reduce harmful air pollution, and demonstrates that using green power is smart for business and the environment."
The EPA defines green power as zero-emissions electricity that is generated from environmentally preferable renewable resources, such as wind, solar, geothermal, biogas, eligible biomass, and low-impact hydro. Using green power helps accelerate the development of new renewable energy capacity nationwide and helps users reduce their carbon footprints.