Coldwater Creek will offset energy use

Coldwater Creek Inc. will purchase 217,000 megawatt-hours of wind power credits over the next three years, an amount that will offset all of the company’s energy use.

In greenhouse gas terms, the credits will keep nearly 300 million pounds of carbon dioxide out of the earth’s atmosphere – the equivalent of taking 30,000 cars off the road every year, or protecting 113,000 acres of trees.

Protecting the environment has been a high priority for the company since its founding in 1984, Chairman Dennis Pence said in a statement.

“We’re extremely proud to join other industry leaders in taking this meaningful step forward by offsetting our total energy consumption with wind power,” he said.

The size of the purchase ranks the Sandpoint-based company among the top 10 U.S. retailers for “green power” purchases, according the Environmental Protection Agency. Whole Foods, Safeway, Staples, Starbucks and Liz Claiborne are also on the list.

Green power is generated from environmentally friendly resources, such as solar, wind, biomass and low-impact hydropower. Buying credits spurs the development of green power by providing markets for the resulting electricity.

The company is working with 3 Phases Energy Services LLC of San Francisco on the deal. Independent audits will ensure that the credits purchased support new wind farms.

Coldwater Creek is a national retailer of women’s apparel.