OneEnergy Renewables and Organic Valley, America’s largest cooperative of organic farmers and a leading organic brand, today announced a first-of-its-kind community partnership that will enable the farmer-owned cooperative to become the largest food company in the world to source 100 percent of its electricity from renewable sources.
“Our future demands bold new thinking about our sources of energy, and there is nothing more natural to a farmer than harnessing the power of the sun and the wind,” said George Siemon, CEO and a founding farmer of Organic Valley. “So our cooperative is committed to achieving 100 percent renewable power, and doing it in partnership with the rural communities where we live and work.”
Global Leadership, World-class Partners, and Regional Impact
OneEnergy Renewables is collaborating with Organic Valley and the Upper Midwest Municipal Energy Group (UMMEG) to create the new community solar partnership. Together, the partnership will initiate over 12 megawatts (MW) of solar installations in Wisconsin. The electricity created by this partnership will not only enable Organic Valley to cover 100 percent of its electric energy needs from renewable sources by 2019, but also increase overall solar energy use in Wisconsin by 15 percent.
“This initiative wouldn’t have left the starting line without Organic Valley’s leadership,” said Bill Eddie, chief executive officer of OneEnergy Renewables. “Both Organic Valley and UMMEG have been exceptional partners, and this effort exemplifies how companies are driving positive change nationwide right now.”
Pollinator-Solar Habitat
These installations will adopt pollinator-friendly solar standards in the project design as part of our companies' mutual commitment to sustainable business practices and the planet. Rather than being planted with turf grass or covered in gravel, these solar meadows, filled with native flowering plants and grasses, will create as much bee and butterfly habitat as if 30,000 families were to each plant six-by-twelve-foot pollinator gardens.
OneEnergy Renewables is a leading developer of community and utility-scale solar energy projects across the United States. With offices in southern Wisconsin, the company is committed to serving the needs of communities, businesses, and utilities through the Midwest. As a certified B Corporation, OneEnergy exceeds rigorous standards of business, social and environmental performance, accountability and transparency—including recently developing the first solar site in Maryland to meet the state's recently adopted pollinator-friendly habitat standards.
Organic Valley is America’s largest cooperative of organic farmers and one of the nation’s leading organic brands. Organized in 1988, it represents more than 2,000 farmers in 36 states. Organic Valley produces a variety of organic foods, including organic milk, cheese, butter, spreads, creams, eggs, soy and produce, which are sold in supermarkets, natural foods stores and food cooperatives nationwide. Follow Organic Valley on Twitter @OrganicValley and on Facebook.