Inside Clemson

Clemson-Citadel Military Appreciation Game Goes Green: Marine base helps generate power for the day

Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative, Santee Cooper and Sterling Planet are teaming up to provide electricity generated from renewable resources to power the Nov. 23 football game between host Clemson University and The Citadel.

The Green Powered game is celebrated as part of Military Appreciation Day, which has special meaning for these two military-proud institutions.

Approximately half of the renewable power provided to Death Valley that day will be generated by solar panels at the Marine Corps Air Station in Beaufort. The other half of that game’s electricity will be Santee Cooper Green Power, also made in South Carolina from solar, wind and landfill gas generation and distributed statewide by Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative and the state’s other cooperatives.

As an additional tribute to the military honored during the Nov. 23 game, the companies are also donating 10 percent of the value of the renewable energy to campus military organizations at Clemson.

“Our research shows that this will be the first time in the country that a football game between two institutions with strong military backgrounds was offset with renewable energy from a military base, and we worked with Hannah Solar Government Services of Charleston to source the solar,” said Alden Hathaway, senior vice president of business development for Sterling Planet. “We offer Green-e certification to all our suppliers whose renewable energy qualifies, so that that they can participate in the national voluntary market for Green Power.”

“Clemson has long-standing traditions of military excellence and stewardship of natural resources, dating back to our founding as a military school and designation as a land-grant university,” said Clemson President James Barker. “Even today, our faculty and students work daily on researching and improving renewable energy resources for the future. It’s a ‘perfect fit’ to showcase all of these traditions during a Clemson football game.”

“Congratulations to both Clemson University and The Citadel, who each enjoy a proud military heritage. Blue Ridge Electric joins in commemorating that heritage, while we also celebrate Green Power as part of the Nov. 23 football contest between these two fine schools,” said Charles E. Dalton, Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative president and CEO. “At Blue Ridge, quality service and respect for our environment go hand in hand.”

“Santee Cooper wants to spotlight our tremendous appreciation to the men and women who bravely defend our freedoms at home and abroad,” said Lonnie Carter, president and CEO. “We are also happy to shine a Green-Powered light on some great football, using solar energy generated at the Marine base in Beaufort and by Santee Cooper stations across South Carolina.”

The renewable energy supplied is Green-e certified, which means it meets strict environmental and consumer standards.

Sterling’s solar component is part of its new Patriot Power program, where energy generated by military and support organizations is rewarded with sales of that energy and reinvestment into additional projects that support the military. Sterling worked with the Marine Corps Air Station to obtain Green-e certification for the solar power.

Santee Cooper has provided certified Green Power since 2001, using 100 percent South Carolina resources. Santee Cooper and electric cooperative customers can voluntarily purchase Green Power, and all proceeds from the sale of that Green Power is reinvested into developing or expanding renewable energy across the state.

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Sterling Planet delivers innovative energy solutions that benefit the environment. Since 2000, the Atlanta-based company has offered business and residential customers renewable energy certificates as an easy, affordable way to reduce the impact of everyday electricity use. The comprehensive portfolio of solutions has since grown to include carbon offsets, White Tags® energy efficiency certificates, green power project development, green partnerships with electricity and natural gas providers, and a Sterling Analytics IT platform that companies of all types are using for sustainable energy, water and carbon management. Sterling Planet’s four cornerstone activities – analyzing, greening, energizing and building – promote environmental, social and economic sustainability.

Located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge mountains and surrounded by a lake and its own forest, Clemson University — one of South Carolina’s land-grant and highest-ranked public institutions— is committed to academic excellence, public service, economic development and innovative research, with students at the heart of it all.

Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative is one of more than 700 Touchstone Energy Cooperatives across America. Touchstone Energy co-ops serve members with an emphasis on core values including integrity, accountability, innovation and commitment to community. Learn more about the Cooperative Principles at CoopMonth.coop.

Santee Cooper is South Carolina’s largest power producer, the largest Green Power generator and the ultimate source of electricity for 2 million people across the state. Through its low-cost, reliable and environmentally responsible electricity and water services, and through innovative partnerships and initiatives that attract and retain industry and jobs, Santee Cooper powers South Carolina. To learn more, visit www.santeecooper.com.