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Mohawk Fine Papers Now Largest Purchaser of Windpower in U.S. Paper Industry
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Cohoes, New York, USA, 11 July 2007 -- /PRNewswire/ -- Mohawk Fine Papers Inc. announced today that it has begun off-setting 100% of the annual electric power consumption across all its operations in New York and Ohio with the purchase of 100 million kWh (kilowatt hours) of renewable energy certificates (RECs).

A member of the EPA Green Power Partnership, Mohawk now joins an exclusive group of organizations, including PepsiCo, Whole Foods Market, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), who have committed to fighting climate change by offsetting 100% of their purchased electricity use with renewable energy sources.

This move follows a May 2007 announcement in which the company began moving toward carbon neutral production by making its premium paper lines carbon neutral within its production process.

"We continually seek ways to expand our sustainable practices," said Tom O'Connor, chairman and chief executive officer, Mohawk Fine Papers Inc. "We're acutely aware that, as a paper manufacturer, we are part of an industry that depends heavily on energy, water, and other natural resources in the production of ephemeral, nondurable goods. Because of this, over two decades ago we embraced the concept of extended stewardship, meaning that we continually examine every aspect of our business with the objective of making our environmental footprint as small as possible. This means doing more with less and taking decisive actions to reduce or eliminate negative impacts. Working to reduce our net greenhouse gas emissions is simply part of our day-to-day business operations and windpower is clean, abundant, and reliable. By investing in wind energy we are aiding the growth of this emission-free energy alternative."

Since the early 1990s, Mohawk has been actively involved in a number of environmental initiatives. In 2003 Mohawk became the first U.S. paper mill to use wind-generated electricity to manufacture paper. Between 2001 and 2006, the company reduced its thermal consumption per ton of manufactured product by 8%. In the same time period it reduced electricity consumption per ton by 14%. The company has joined two important organizations to bring transparency to that effort. The EPA's Climate Leaders program and Clean Air--Cool Planet, a similar program designed to reduce climate impacts in the northeastern United States.

Mohawk has long been an industry leader in its commitment to supporting the use of clean energy. The company's efforts have been lauded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). In 2005, Mohawk became a member of the EPA's Green Power Partnership, a program comprised of companies that voluntarily purchase renewable energy in an effort to reduce their own environmental impact. Later that year Mohawk received the National Green Power Leadership Award. This current move to offset 100% of its purchased electricity will place Mohawk on the EPA's Top Partner list of 100% Green Power Purchasers along with companies such as PepsiCo, Whole Foods Market, The World Bank, and the EPA itself (the list will be updated 30 July 2007).

"Our Climate Leaders partners are demonstrating corporate climate change leadership by embracing energy efficiency, green power, and technological innovation as sound business investments," said EPA Deputy Administrator Marcus Peacock. "Many of the nation's leading companies are working aggressively with EPA to lower their greenhouse gas emissions in ways that advance President Bush's climate change strategy."

About Mohawk

Recognized for its technical innovation and progressive environmental initiatives, Mohawk Fine Papers Inc. manufactures premium printing, writing and imaging papers. Mohawk engineers its papers to provide optimal performance for sheetfed, web, and digital printing. Mohawk papers are used in a wide variety of communications, including annual reports, stationery, letterhead, and business cards for complete corporate identity systems, high-end brochures, packaging, and everyday digital paper needs for businesses of all sizes and types. A leader in environmental stewardship, Mohawk is the first large-scale production facility in the United States to use electricity generated by renewable windpower to manufacture paper and the first U.S. premium paper mill to shift toward carbon neutral production. Many of Mohawk's recycled products are certified to the Forest Stewardship Council's (FSC) standards by SmartWood, a program of the Rainforest Alliance, and/or Green Seal.

FSC certification ensures responsible use of forest resources.

Source: Mohawk Fine Papers Inc.
 

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