Business Briefs: green energy, greenhouse gas trading, and software

The greenhouse gas emission market leader in the US, Evolution Markets LLC, has announced that it will be signing contracts with four or five Hungarian industrial gas-emitting companies on exclusive trading rights within the next few weeks. They will be the first US emission trading deals with Hungarian companies, says Evolution.

Still in the US, Green Mountain Power and the environmental non-profit Clean Air – Cool Planet (CA-CP) have joined forces so that the energy company’s customers can help build new renewable energy resources and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Through two programmes called CoolHome and CoolBusiness, CA-CP will offset carbon dioxide emissions for each participant by helping to build a new wind turbine and a Vermont farm methane system that will reduce consumption of fossil fuels.

Other news on alternative forms of energy include an announcement by the Central Vermont Public Service and its subsidiary Catamount Energy of two partnerships to develop wind projects in New England and the British Isles. Catamount already owns interests in two wind farms in Germany, and has several projects under development and consideration. The new partnership will significantly increase the company’s reach.

Canadian Hydro has announced that it has entered into a new contract for the sale of EcoLogo certified green power with the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, one of the world’s premier hotels, located in Banff National Park. Under the new agreement, the Chateau will purchase 3.3 million kilowatt hours per year for five years, or 40% of the hotel’s power requirements.

Communications company AT&T has announced that it has received an award from the Environmental Careers Organisation (ECO) for its commitment to diversity and the environment. The company has focused on environmental programmes such as telework and supplier take-back schemes.

ESP (Environmental Software Providers) is celebrating its tenth anniversary this month. The company is now the leading provider of enterprise software that helps its large base of Fortune 500 companies to achieve environmental sustainability, compliance and asset management goals, says ESP. Alex Long, ESP co-founder and president puts the company’s success down to a philosophy of close collaboration with its customers in product development.

And finally, GE Power Systems, a subsidiary of the US energy company, General Electric, has been given approval by the European Commission to buy Enron’s wind turbine business, stating that it does not raise any competition concerns in Europe.