NC GreenPower is pleased to report that GlaxoSmithKline, a world-leading research-based pharmaceutical company, has committed to increasing the state’s renewable energy supply by becoming a Champion level sponsor of the NC GreenPower program.

Champion level sponsors donate more than $24,000 a year to the program. GlaxoSmithKline’s sponsorship will add more than 700,000 kWh of cleaner, renewable energy to North Carolina’s power supply. The generation will annually offset approximately 1.5 million pounds of carbon dioxide, which is equivalent to offsetting nearly 1.8 million miles worth of emissions by automobiles in the state.

By contributing to NC GreenPower for the second year, GlaxoSmithKline is continuing to fulfill its mission to improve the quality of human life by enabling people to do more, feel better and live longer. GlaxoSmithKline’s participation not only shows their support for NC GreenPower, but also demonstrates the company’s strong commitment to providing a cleaner environment.

“By supporting NC GreenPower, GlaxoSmithKline is able to both reduce the levels of certain greenhouse gases, thereby making a positive impact on the environment, and champion the development of renewable energy resources in North Carolina,” said Robert Nash, Manager of Environmental Health and Safety at GlaxoSmithKline.

NC GreenPower’s success revolves around corporate sponsors like GlaxoSmithKline. “Corporate sponsors are essential to the early growth of a renewable energy program,” says Carl Wilkins, corporate development manager for NC GreenPower. “We want to help provide value to those sponsors, so that they can see the benefits that their participation creates both in our state and in the marketplace. Corporate stewardship of the environment is an important step toward encouraging all consumers to start the change. GlaxoSmithKline is a leader in that effort.”

NC GreenPower is a subsidiary of Advanced Energy, a Raleigh-based nonprofit corporation that helps utility, industrial and residential customers improve returns on energy investments. The corporation focuses on industrial process technologies, motors and drives testing, and applied building science. Advanced Energy is responsible for meeting energy needs while reducing harmful environmental threats caused by energy use.

Continuing its support of renewable energy development in North Carolina, Eisai, a pharmaceutical company located in Research Triangle Park, NC, has renewed its financial support of NC GreenPower.