Stoel Rives previously was recognized as the first multi-state law firm to make a firm-wide Green Tag purchase. Supporting Green Tags increases the percentage of renewable energy entering the electric grid, at the same time reducing the percentage of energy derived from coal and other fossil fuels. This year’s purchase by the firm, up from six percent of demand last year, reflects an increasing commitment to the environment. This purchase of renewable energy resources represents an annual reduction of more than 1 million pounds of greenhouse gas emissions (primarily carbon dioxide), the equivalent of planting 223 acres of trees or taking 107 vehicles off the road for an entire year.

While renewable energy purchases historically were limited to utility companies, Stoel Rives’ direct procurement of Green Tags reflects the growing commitment by environmentally-conscious businesses to support the renewable energy sector. Such purchases help to lessen the country’s dependence on foreign sources of energy. At the same time, they help support local economies such as rural landowners, construction companies and developers of wind power projects.

“Stoel Rives is to be commended on its commitment to helping offset greenhouse gas emissions and in its forward-thinking approach to include all of its offices across its multi-state business in determining its energy load,” said Tom Starrs, vice president of marketing and sales for BEF. “What’s important is ensuring more green energy gets put into the grid, and whether that energy is generated in Washington, Oregon or elsewhere, Stoel Rives is leading by example. We hope that more businesses will join in to supporting Green Tag energy programs locally and nationally.”

Justin Boose, the attorney in charge of Stoel Rives’ Green Tag Program added, “From our offices in five Western states, we help clients deal with complex legal issues that have implications ranging from local to global. We applied this same ‘global’ philosophy to our energy use, using one significant purchase from a local wind project to minimize our energy footprint throughout the region. We invite our competition, as well as other U.S. industries, to join in this program and help support green power.”

About Stoel Rives LLP
Stoel Rives is a business law firm providing services throughout the western United States. It is regarded as a regional leader in energy, natural resources, environment, corporate and intellectual property law and complex litigation. The firm's 375 lawyers and 500 support staff provide client-focused services to a wide range of businesses and individuals from eight offices in Washington, Oregon, California, Utah and Idaho. For more information, visit www.stoel.com.

About BEF
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 sales 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. Created by regional environmental groups and the Bonneville Power Administration, the Foundation operates collaboratively with but independent of both.