Contacts:
Dan Simons
Lawrence Daily Journal-World
785-832-7176
dsimons@ljworld.com
Sarah Hill-Nelson
The Bowersock Mills and Power Company
785-766-0884
bowersockpower@swbell.net
Lawrence Journal-World Set to Deliver “Green News”
Leading Mid-West Newspaper Offsets Environment Impact of its Electrical Usage with Purchase of Zephyr Energy™ Green Tags, a New Regional Green Power Product
LAWRENCE, Kan. (April 20, 2006) – When it comes to getting the news in Lawrence and surrounding communities, it’s a good bet the Lawrence Daily Journal World newspaper delivered it. Now, thanks to a purchase of Zephyr Energy™ Green Tags by The World Company, owners of the Journal-World, it’s an even better bet that the news is “green” too. In fact, it’s a sure thing. Through its purchase, The World Company now offsets 100 percent of the environmental impact of the electricity used in association with the newspaper’s production. Zephyr Energy Green Tags are a new renewable energy credit (REC) product available to commercial and residential customers throughout Northeast Kansas.
The decision to invest in regional renewable energy reflects a philosophy that has guided The World Company since its inception in 1891: “to serve the community.” According to Dan Simons, president of the electronic division of The World Company, the company pursued the switch for about six months. “I believe it’s the right thing to do and hopefully can start a trend here in Kansas and in Lawrence. We can use the alternative energy opportunities that are available to us,” he said. Simons said the company may look at expanding its purchase of Zephyr Energy, possibly including enough to power its 6News broadcasts, as well as to power the entire Lawrence Public Library if it were to move to the Riverfront Mall site at Sixth and New Hampshire streets.
About Zephyr Energy
The Zephyr Energy product is a Green-e certified blend of Green Tags, also known as renewable energy credits, comprised of equal amounts of hydroelectric Green Tags produced at the Bowersock Dam in Lawrence and wind power tags drawn primarily from producers throughout the region. Green-e is the leading voluntary certification program for green power products in the U.S. Green Tags, which represent the environmental benefits associated with electricity produced by non-polluting renewable sources, are sold separately from electricity to customers interested in supporting renewable energy development in the U.S. Zephyr Energy Green Tags were developed as a result of an agreement between The Bowersock Mills and Power Company, the oldest power producer in Northeast Kansas, and the Bonneville Environmental Foundation (BEF), a non-profit organization located in Portland, Oregon. Both entities have an interest in the economic development of renewable energy sources. For more information about the Zephyr Energy product, please see www.zephyrenergy.org.
“Through its purchase, The World Company is encouraging the growth of renewable power generation in Kansas and the surrounding region. This effort will benefit Kansas and the surrounding region both economically and environmentally. We applaud The World Company for its forward-thinking approach in addressing these issues today,” said Sarah Hill-Nelson of The Bowersock Mills and Power Company. “The World Company is a flagship supporter of the Zephyr Energy product, and the first national media company to make a commitment of this scale to the use of non-polluting energy and the development of national energy resources. This agreement will result in an increased percentage of clean, renewable power entering the central states electricity grid, and a corresponding reduction in the combustion of coal and natural gas.”
About The World Company
The World Company – comprised of the Lawrence Journal World, Sunflower Broadband, World Online and other related entities – is a multi-media communications company with headquarters in Lawrence, Kansas. Established in 1891, The World Company is a historic local business, and has been committed to the growth of Lawrence and Northeast Kansas throughout its history. The company has been owned and operated by the Simons Family since its inception and remains a leading business in Northeast Kansas. More information is available at www.ljworld.com.
About The Bowersock Mills and Power Company
The Bowersock Mills and Power Company was established by J.D. Bowersock in Lawrence, Kansas in 1874. The company first operated as a grist mill and later distributed mechanical power to downtown Lawrence via a pulley and belt system. The mill electrified in 1904 and has been providing hydroelectric power to the City of Lawrence since that time. The company is still owned and operated by the Bowersock (now Hill) Family. The owners/operators of the plant are proud to be an integral part of the history of Lawrence and to have provided a continuous supply of clean renewable energy for the growth of the city for over 100 years. More information is available at www.bowersockpower.com.
About Bonneville Environmental Foundation The Bonneville Environmental Foundation, a non-profit organization, was established in 1998 to restore watershed ecosystems and further the development and use of new renewable energy resources. Through revenues generated from the sale of green power products, BEF funds projects that restore damaged watersheds and support new renewable energy projects from solar, wind and biomass. BEF pioneered the sale of Green Tags in 2000 and has helped establish national standards for certification and trading. More information is available on the web at www.b-e-f.org.
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