NextEra Energy Resources, LLC (NextEra Energy), a wind and solar energy producer in North America, has launched the EarthEra Renewable Energy (ERE) Trust and associated renewable energy products. The ERE Trust provides a new way for businesses and consumers to make that every penny they spend is going directly to the construction of new wind and solar energy projects. ERE Trust is administered by U.S. Bank and all marketing, administrative and other overhead expenses are paid by NextEra Energy.
When businesses purchase ERE certificates (RECs) to meet their own sustainability or green energy goals, 100 % of the proceeds go into the ERE Trust, which in turn allocates 100% of those funds directly to the construction of new wind and solar renewable projects.
All renewable energy projects built by the proceeds from the Trust will be owned and managed by NextEra Energy or its subsidiaries.
Some businesses have already committed more than $5 million to the Trust by purchasing EarthEra products to offset the carbon impact of business operations and to meet their green energy requirements.Companies and institutions such as Sony Electronics Inc., Office Depot, HSBC-North America, REI, Norwegian Cruise Lines, GOOD, University of Denver and Loyola Marymount University have joined in the fight against climate change with NextEra Energy through the ERE Trust.
Companies can purchase EarthEra RECs to help offset the energy impact of their business operations or meet other sustainability goals with 100 % of the proceeds going to new renewable energy projects through the EarthEra Renewable Energy Trust.
“EarthEra makes it easy for businesses to mitigate their own impact on the environment and achieve their sustainability goals while having confidence that they are making a tangible, meaningful difference by accelerating the construction of new wind and solar projects,” said Mark Maisto, president of Commodities and Retail Markets for NextEra Energy. “With the EarthEra Renewable Energy Trust, our customers can be confident that every penny they spend is contributing to clean energy jobs, moving America toward long-term energy independence and helping to address climate change.”
“Office Depot is proud to be a founding participant in the EarthEra Renewable Energy Trust,” said Yalmaz Siddiqui, director of environmental strategy for Office Depot. “We want to actively support innovations, such as the EarthEra Program, that drive the transition to a low carbon economy, and our purchase of EarthEra Renewable Energy Trust Certificates helps us do that.”
“As an outdoor retailer, we work to balance the energy needs of our stores with our commitment to the environment. To accomplish this, REI is focused on reducing energy use and generating renewable power in our facilities wherever possible. Participating in the EarthEra Renewable Energy Trust allows us to expand upon these efforts by investing in clean, renewable power that will support a healthier environment for everyone to enjoy,” said Sharon Im-Lee, REI’s energy manager.
“While there is no substitute for federal action on climate change, programs like EarthEra are important in providing a diverse group of parties the opportunity to join together to make a difference”, said Nathanael Greene, director of renewable energy policy for the Natural Resources Defense Council. “As a leader in the renewable energy market, NextEra Energy Resources is showing how we can grow our economy and fight global warming.”
“We applaud NextEra Energy Resources for accelerating the creation of new renewable energy and for helping to bring renewable energy into the mainstream,” said Michael T. Eckhart, president of The American Council on Renewable Energy. “By launching the EarthEra Renewable Energy Trust and products, consumers and businesses now have an easy and transparent way to invest in America’s renewable energy future.”