GMP has become the first utility in the world to receive B Corp certification.
Recognized for Commitment to Employees, Customers & Vermont
Colchester, Vt – Green Mountain Power today was recognized as the first utility in the world to become a Certified B Corp. B Corps are companies that believe business can be a force for good and are certified by the nonprofit B Lab to meet rigorous standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency. Jay Coen Gilbert, a co-founder of B Lab, Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield and other Vermont companies, joined Green Mountain Power as they accepted this distinguished certification at a celebration held at their Colchester headquarters.
“This is a tremendous honor and reinforces our deep commitment to put customers first, and create positive change in the community and environment through our work as Vermont’s Energy Company of the Future. We are thrilled to be counted among so many great companies across Vermont and around the world,” said Mary Powell, GMP President and CEO. “At GMP, we know that energy can improve lives and transform communities. Energy can spur socio-economic change for residents, helping people save money and move toward more renewable and local sources.”
There are 1165 B Corporations in 37 countries, including now 21 in Vermont. Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield of Ben & Jerry’s pioneered the business model “do good by doing good.” As B Corp members, Ben and Jerry praised GMP for being the first utility to embrace being a force for positive change.
“We are especially pleased that an important legacy of Ben & Jerry’s was that the company made the case for a new way of doing business, including a concern for the community and the planet in day-to-day business decisions,” said Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield. “That approach is now enshrined in B Corp status. Congratulations to Green Mountain Power for becoming the very first utility company in the world to take this step. We hope their commitment and their business success will inspire others.”
To get a B Corp certification, GMP had to demonstrate its record of accomplishment and ongoing commitment in four areas: environment, employees, community and governance.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Green Mountain Power as the first electric utility provider to earn B Corp certification. Clean, affordable energy is crucial to creating a shared and durable prosperity,” said Jay Coen Gilbert, a co-founder of B Lab, the nonprofit behind the B Corp movement. “We are proud to count Green Mountain Power among the leading Vermont B Corps that are creating stronger communities, higher quality jobs, and a healthy environment.”
GMP – Vermont’s Energy Company of the Future – is leading an exciting transformation that is delivering cutting edge energy products and services to help Vermonters save money by using less energy. This year GMP lowered rates for customers.
“GMP deserves credit for raising the standard of excellence for utility and corporate social responsibility and regard for its customers with its acceptance of the challenges embedded to achieve and to maintain B Corporation status,” said Richard Sedano, director of US programs for the Regulatory Assistance Project. “Utilities are vital sources of innovation — this step by GMP, added to others they have taken, indicates a commitment to maximizing its potential to deliver value to Vermont in new ways.”
The 21 Certified B Corps in Vermont are: Vermont Creamery, Business Culture Consultants, Image Outfitters, Cabot Creamery Co-Op, Merritt & Merritt & Moulton, Morris Consulting, Rhino Foods, Advance Humanity, Coffee Enterprises, Ben & Jerry’s, Forward Philanthropy, Gardners Supply, King Arthur Flour Company, Sustain, SunCommon, New Chapter, Chroma, Clean Ethics, Seventh Generation, Clean Yield and Green Mountain Power.
To learn more about GMP and B Corp’s certification go to:
http://www.greenmountainpower.com/about/b-corp/ or
http://www.bcorporation.net/community/green-mountain-power
About Green Mountain Power
Green Mountain Power (GMP) serves approximately 265,000 residential and business customers in Vermont and has a vision to be the best small company in America by empowering customers to save money and move to clean energy sources. GMP recognizes the role of electric utilities is changing and is focused on a new way of doing business to meet the needs of customers with integrated services, while continuing to generate clean, cost-effective and reliable power in Vermont. In 2014, Vote Solar named GMP a Solar Champion. More information at: www.greenmountainpower.com. Connect with GMP on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @GreenMtnPower.
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