EPA reveals America's top 100 users of renewable energy
The EPA is out with a list of the top 100 American users of renewable energy, and it makes pretty interesting reading. Some pretty big household names are getting all or most of their energy from renewables.
The top user was Intel, whose energy use comes 100 percent from renewables.
A few firms on the list are generating more renewable energy than they're actually using, selling the excess back to the grid. Kohl's, which ranks No. 2 on the list, generates 105 percent of what it uses. Meanwhile, Whole Foods Market (No. 4) generates 107 percent of what it uses.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Here are the top five:
[EPA]
Wal-Mart comes in at No. 6 on the list, despite only 3 percent of its energy usage coming from renewables. Apple — currently the world's largest firm by market cap — is at No. 8, with 92 percent of its power coming from renewables. Starbucks is getting 67 percent of its power from renewables. McDonalds is getting 30 percent. Unilever gets 100 percent. Staples is getting 106 percent.
Top government users include the Department of Energy and the Department of Veterans Affairs, which both get 12 percent of their power from renewables.
The ranking underlines that renewables are getting cheaper and cheaper because the technology is improving. That means that firms that care about sustainability — or see inherent advantages to renewable energy, like independence from the grid — can go green without hurting their bottom line.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
John Aziz is the economics and business correspondent at TheWeek.com. He is also an associate editor at Pieria.co.uk. Previously his work has appeared on Business Insider, Zero Hedge, and Noahpinion.
-
Today's political cartoons - November 23, 2024
Cartoons Saturday's cartoons - qualifications, tax cuts, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Long summer days in Iceland's highlands
The Week Recommends While many parts of this volcanic island are barren, there is a 'desolate beauty' to be found in every corner
By The Week UK Published
-
The Democrats: time for wholesale reform?
Talking Point In the 'wreckage' of the election, the party must decide how to rebuild
By The Week UK Published
-
DOJ seeks breakup of Google, Chrome
Speed Read The Justice Department aims to force Google to sell off Chrome and make other changes to rectify its illegal search monopoly
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Racist texts tell Black people in US to prepare for slavery
Speed Read Recipients in at least a dozen states have been told to prepare to 'pick cotton' on slave plantations
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Australia proposes social media ban before age 16
Speed Read Australia proposes social media ban before age 16
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
FTC bans fake online product reviews
Speed Read The agency will enforce fines of up to $51,744 per violation
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
States sue TikTok over children's mental health
Speed Read The lawsuit was filed by 13 states and Washington, D.C.
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Amazon ending 'Just Walk Out' grocery checkout
Speed Read In its place, the company will let customers scan while they shop with Amazon Dash Cart
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Justice Department bites Apple with iPhone suit
Speed Read The lawsuit alleges that the tech company monopolized the smartphone industry
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
House votes to force TikTok to sell or face US ban
speed read The House passed a bill to ban TikTok on national security grounds unless it sells to a non-Chinese company
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published