USDA in top 10 Green Power users among federal agencies

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) cracked the top 10 list of green power users amongst federal agencies as determined by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), coming in at eighth.

The USDA was also ranked 92 on the top 100 list of all sectors.

"EPA applauds the U.S. Department of Agriculture for its commitment to using green power and for taking a leadership position on the environment,"  Green Power Partnership Manager James Critchfield said. "USDA is helping to reduce carbon pollution and provides an excellent example for other government agencies to invest in environmental progress."

The USDA has steadily increased its purchasing and production of renewable energy since 2012, when it started with 37 million kilowatt-hours. Last year that figure increased to 42 million and this year it was 57 million, with the green power coming in the form of solar, wind, biomass, low-impact hydro and geothermal energy.

"Our goal is to support domestic production and use of renewable energy," said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. "Using green power helps grow American jobs, helps USDA programs and services become more sustainable, and demonstrates to every level of government and private industry that supporting clean sources of electricity is a sound business decision and an important choice to help reduce climate risk."