Dietz & Watson Inks Renewable Energy Deal
Dietz & Watson has announced a 15-year renewable supply agreement with Constellation, the nation’s largest producer of clean, emissions-free, reliable energy, for the purchase of renewable electricity equivalent to the energy use of their Philadelphia and Baltimore facilities.
Backed by Dietz & Watson’s long-term commitment, Constellation has entered into a separate long-term power purchase agreement (PPA) to procure 20 megawatts of energy from Mammoth Central 1, one half of the third and final phase of Doral Renewables’ Mammoth Solar project in Indiana.
Dietz & Watson will receive approximately 39,000 MWhrs of energy per year through its retail agreement with Constellation, with that energy matched by Green-e® Energy Certified Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) sourced from other renewable facilities located throughout the US. The agreement will help Dietz & Watson reduce its carbon footprint by more than 18,600 metric tons annually, the equivalent emissions of nearly 4,400 passenger vehicles, according to US EPA estimates.
“We value the health of our surroundings and our environment,” said Louis Eni, CEO of Dietz & Watson. “If our decisions can help improve the world in which we live and work, we will do it. That is why we have taken this step in the right direction and made the decision for our facilities to work with Constellation on this renewable energy program.”
Dietz & Watson will use the Constellation Offsite Renewables (CORe) product to facilitate its renewable energy transaction. CORe connects customers to the economic and sustainability benefits of large-scale, offsite renewable energy projects and is among Constellation’s suite of retail power products that help customers achieve their carbon reduction goals. Customers also have opportunities to utilize the regionally produced hourly carbon-free energy matching solution, which matches power use at every hour around the clock.
“As a leading supplier of energy services and products, we’re pleased to offer this clean energy solution that will enable Dietz & Watson to reduce emissions and support new renewable energy sources,” said Jim McHugh, chief commercial officer, Constellation. “Providing customers with the zero-emissions energy they want is an important step in the journey toward a clean energy future.”
“One of Mammoth Solar’s cornerstones is the incorporation of agricultural activities inside the project’s area, a practice called agrivoltaics. Agrivoltaics is bringing heritage farming back to the communities and Dietz and Watson, a household food chain, being one of the project’s main stakeholders is just a perfect fit. It is connecting farmers to another aspect of the Dietz & Watson food chain. Constellation is tapping into one of Indiana’s competitive advantages – solar power. From jobs and economic revitalization of communities to dual use of the land to sandwiches, Mammoth Solar is creating an industry cluster that is far-reaching and uplifting for everyone,” said Nick Cohen, President and CEO of Doral Renewables.