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Two New England Companies Lauded for Cutting Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Release Date: 03/23/2007
Contact Information: David Deegan, 617-918-1017

(Boston, Mass. - March 23, 2007) - EPA recently commended United Technologies Corp. of Hartford Conn. for achieving significant greenhouse gas reductions under EPA's Climate Leaders program. EPA also announced that Fairchild Semiconductor of South Portland, Maine has made aggressive greenhouse gas reduction goals under the Climate Leaders program.

"EPA’s Climate Leaders partners in New England are demonstrating corporate climate change leadership by embracing energy efficiency, green power, and technological innovation as sound business investments," said Robert W. Varney, regional administrator of EPA’s New England office. "Many of the nation's leading companies are working aggressively with EPA to lower their greenhouse gas emissions in ways that will help us all enjoy a healthier environment."

Under the Climate Leaders program, Hartford’s United Technologies Corp. met its goal of reducing global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 46 percent per dollar of revenue from 2001 to 2006. Further, United Technologies also extended its commitment by pledging a second goal on measurable GHG reductions. UTC pledges to reduce total global GHG emissions by 12 percent from 2006 to 2010.

EPA is also pleased to welcome South Portland’s Fairchild Semiconductor to the Climate Leaders program. Fairfield Semiconductor is one of 12 corporations nationwide recognized for announcing aggressive new GHG reduction goals. The Maine company has pledged to reduce U.S. GHG emissions by 30 percent per manufacturing index (production measure) from 2003 to 2010.

Since 2002, the Climate Leaders program has provided valuable guidance and recognition to leading companies across many industries to help them develop and implement long-term comprehensive climate change strategies. EPA estimates that the goals announced to date through Climate Leaders will prevent more than 11 million metric tons of carbon equivalent emissions per year – equal to the amount of greenhouse gas emissions from more than seven million cars.

Climate Leaders partners come from a wide range of industries and constitute over nine percent of U.S. gross domestic product. Over the past five years, the program has expanded to include 113 organizations. Of these, 67 have announced aggressive long-term greenhouse gas reduction goals, while the remaining companies are working with EPA to set and announce a goal.

More information: EPA Climate Leaders program (epa.gov/climateleaders/partners/goalachievers.html)

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