Curtis Packaging Turns to Renewable Energy to Power 100% of Usage

Energy Resource, August 16, 2006

ENERGY RESOURCE-16 August 2006-Curtis Packaging Turns to Renewable Energy to Power 100% of Usage(C)2006 JeraOne - http://www.jeraone.com

Curtis Packaging Corp. today said it will purchase clean, pollution-free, renewable energy -- equal to 100 percent of its energy usage -- from Community Energy Inc., with the majority of the renewable energy being sourced from wind power.

Curtis Packaging, one of the first printing and packaging companies in the nation to be both Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified and use 100% renewable energy, will buy a total of 4,524,800 kilowatt-hours (kWhs) of renewable energy per year for the next three years.

The estimated environmental benefit from the purchase, compared to the average generation mix in the regional and national electric grids where the renewables are being generated, is equal to offsetting more than 7.1 million pounds of carbon dioxide per year -- the equivalent to planting more than 480,000 trees or not driving 6.2 million miles per year.

The majority of the renewable energy mix will be sourced from wind power, the fastest growing energy source in the U.S. today. Approximately 30% of the total purchase will be a blend of renewable sources, including locally generated wind power, purchased through the Connecticut Clean Energy Options Program available through Connecticut Light & Power (CL&P).

At that level of participation in the program, Curtis Packaging, based in Sandy Hook, Conn., will help Newtown (Sandy Hook) begin qualifying for a free solar electric system and become a Clean Energy Community.

"We are proud to be a leader in our industry, and to continue to do our part to protect the environment," said Don Droppo Jr., vice president, Sales and Marketing, for Curtis Packaging. "Our customers and the community value the commitment we've made to a safe and secure energy future. It's gratifying to know that our products will be manufactured using clean, renewable energy. We are confident that we are doing the right thing by reducing the impact on the environment without sacrificing the high quality products that our clients demand."

The renewable energy purchase follows Curtis Packaging FSC (Forestry Stewardship Council) certification, in which the company committed to use paperboard generated by suppliers who practice responsible forestry. Curtis Packaging is also certified by the SmartWood Sustainable Forestry Program of the Rainforest Alliance.

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