Brooklyn Borough President

BROOKLYN BREWERY TURNS TO BREEZE TO BREW BEER

Photograph by Amelia D’Entrone
Pictured – left to right – Community Energy Vice President Sales & Marketing Robert Greenlaw, Borough President Markowitz, and Brooklyn Brewery President Stephen Hindy toast this historic occasion.

Company becomes first NYC commercial operation to be 100% wind powered

Borough President Marty Markowitz joined today with The Brooklyn Brewery for WINDFEST AT THE BREWERY, a celebration in honor of the company’s historic decision to become the first New York City commercial operation to use 100% wind-generated electricity for its Brooklyn facility.

The company’s Brooklyn plant electricity will be 100% wind powered, supplied by NewWind EnergyTM, a product of Community Energy Inc. (CEI), a leading marketer/developer of wind-generated electricity. NewWind EnergyTM is produced from windmills in Fenner, New York, in Upstate Madison County. The five-year wind power purchase represents the first brewery in the Eastern U.S to convert to wind power.

“This is Brooklyn business at its best. The Brooklyn Brewery is committed to this innovative, environmentally friendly way of powering its facility,” Borough President Markowitz said. “I hope other businesses realize that there are other clean, safe and affordable energy options that will help all of us conserve energy and protect our environment. This creative commitment is more than just a lot of hot air, it is a clear message that everybody can make a difference.”

“It is no secret that The Brooklyn Brewery is opposed to plans to develop another goliath-sized power plant on the Brooklyn waterfront,” said brewery president Steve Hindy. “We wanted to demonstrate that there are viable, clean alternatives to building another polluting power plant. We also wanted to take a significant step in demonstrating a needed reduction in dependence on Middle East oil. Wind power costs a bit more, but we think it makes sense to invest in new sources of energy. The recent blackout was a wake up call--everyone has to be more conscious of their use of energy."

Compared to the average generation mix in New York’s power pool, Brooklyn Brewery’s commitment of 284,9600 kwh per year is equivalent to the reduction of more than 335,000 pounds of carbon dioxide (CO2) that would be emitted into the atmosphere annually. The CO2 reduction is equivalent to the amount removed from the air by over 22,000 trees or the amount emitted by cars driven over 290,000 miles annually. In addition, the switchover will reduce emissions of sulfur dioxide by an estimated 1,593 pounds and nitrogen oxides by 564 pounds annually.

Brent Alderfer, President of CEI, said: “Brooklyn Brewery is leading the way to clean energy for New York City. This purchase means New York-based electric power with no fuel and no pollution. The more customers that follow Brooklyn Brewery’s lead, the more wind farms come on-line in New York.”