Kettle Foods announced Monday that starting in October it will purchase wind energy credits, from Renewable Choice Energy, to offset 100 percent of its electricity use at its headquarters in Salem, Ore.
The snack maker, by buying 8,750,000 kilowatt hours of renewable energy credits (REC) annually, will prevent more than 12 million pounds of carbon dioxide pollution (CO2), the equivalent of removing 1,000 cars from the road or planting 1,600 acres of trees.
Kettle Food is also extending its wind power commitment to its new plant in Beloit, Wis., which is slated to begin production early in 2007.
The partnership with Renewable Choice Energy allows Kettle Foods to use the same wind energy provider for both plants while supporting wind farms in both areas of the country.
The new Beloit plant is being constructed to stringent green building standards with the goal of LEED Gold certification. Other sustainable projects planned for the Beloit plant include the rehabilitation and restoration of surrounding prairie land.