The initiatives and expansion range from increasing the number of alternative vehicles in the company’s fleet to conducting a trial of energy-efficient FiOS-TV set-top boxes to using more green products and services.
Some of the initiatives Verizon is launching this year include addition of 1,600 alternative energy vehicles in the Verizon fleet in 2010. The company is purchasing more than 1,100 alternative energy vehicles including hybrid and compressed natural gas-powered aerial trucks and vans, and hybrid pick-up trucks and sedans.
The company will also increase its use of biodiesel and flex-fuel (E85) to power 470 vehicles.
Verizon has also teamed up with Motorola to trial eco-friendly set-top boxes for FiOS TV customers in select markets. The company believes that the new QIP models use less energy than existing models.
A DVR model will enhance increased digital video-recording storage capacity, the company added. Packaging for both models will be 100% recyclable and made from 75% recycled cardboard.
The company has also begun a long-term awareness campaign to educate, encourage and make it easy for Verizon’s 220,000 employees to cut energy use, recycle and reuse at work and home.
Verizon claimed that its IT, security, communications and network capabilities are helping the utility sector ramp up smart grid deployment. The company’s IP and wireless networks provide a foundation for the smart grid’s control and metering functions.
In 2009, Verizon’s energy reduction and recycling measures reduced the company’s CO2 emissions by more than 793 million pounds. The company also increased its rate of emissions per million dollars in revenue to 60.2 metric tons of CO2 in 2009, from 64.4 metric tons in 2008.
