News Type: Press Release

3Degrees honored for carbon offset project development

13 projects in 10 states developed and registered in 2016  

3Degrees was recently named a 2017 project developer of the year by the Climate Action Reserve and recognized for its leadership in advancing climate solutions and strengthening carbon markets.

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(L to R): Craig Ebert, President of the Climate Action Reserve, Nick Facciola, Director of Carbon Markets at 3Degrees, Linda Adams, Chair of the Climate Action Reserve and former Secretary of Cal/EPA

Specifically, 3Degrees was honored for registering the most projects in 2016 with 13 unique projects. These consisted of 10 compliance livestock projects, one voluntary livestock project and two voluntary landfill projects. These projects were developed in 10 different states by Origin Climate, which recently joined forces with 3Degrees and has over 20 projects on the Reserve. Origin Climate is one of the oldest and most successful carbon credit companies in the US and has registered more than 5 million verified carbon credits.

“3Degrees is honored to receive this award from the Climate Action Reserve,” said Mark Mondik, vice president of carbon markets. “We are committed to leveraging markets as a force for good and pride ourselves on being the honest and trusted voice in helping clients develop and implement strategies to fight climate change.”

The Climate Action Reserve is a carbon offset registry with a mission to develop, promote and support innovative, credible, market-based climate change solutions that benefit economies, ecosystems and society.

The award was presented at the Navigating the American Carbon World conference.

3Degrees helps Akamai drive down emissions

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Akamai’s long term commitment to Texas wind farm demonstrates innovation for companies with smaller loads

Akamai Technologies, the world’s largest and most trusted cloud delivery platform, recently invested in an 80 megawatt wind farm in Texas through a long-term power purchase agreement. This is the latest chapter in Akamai’s long-term approach to decarbonizing their operations. 3Degrees (originally Origin Climate) has been working with Akamai for the past several years to build and implement their renewable energy strategy.

“3Degrees was instrumental in executing our first long-term investment in renewable energy,” said Dr. Nicola Peill-Moelter, Akamai Senior Director of Environmental Sustainability. “Their knowledge of power markets, financial acumen, and focus on helping us meet our goals have made them a trusted partner as we work toward achieving 50 percent renewables by 2020.”

This transaction demonstrates that companies with small, distributed energy loads can use power purchase agreements as part of their sustainability strategy to maximize impact, just like larger energy users. Akamai’s offtake – which represents its energy load in Texas – is a minor portion of this project, but their commitment was instrumental in getting it financed and built.

“For the past several years, the corporate push for new renewable projects has come from some of the largest companies with the highest energy use,” says Erin Craig, vice president of the 3Degrees energy and climate practice. “What Akamai has shown is that there are ways for those with smaller loads to facilitate new renewable projects in the US.”

More on 3Degrees + Energy & Climate Consulting

3Degrees expands partnership with CDP

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Now an accredited global solutions provider for both renewable energy and carbon reduction.

CDP and 3Degrees are pleased to announce that they have expanded their partnership. Building on the existing partnership around renewable energy, 3Degrees will now offer carbon reduction services to CDP responding companies worldwide.

For more than 10 years, 3Degrees has been working with Fortune 500® clients, developing strategies to help them meet their carbon reduction and renewable energy goals. In that time, we have built experience in over 50 countries, completed over 1400 MW of renewable energy transactions, developed more than 30 carbon projects and sold over 8.8 million verified carbon credits.

“3Degrees brings a strong track record in helping clients establish and meet sustainability goals using a variety of tools and approaches. We have been impressed by their commitment to their customers and to finding business solutions to climate change,” says Paul Robins, head of partnerships at CDP.

“We are excited to expand our partnership with CDP which has a strong reputation of helping investors, companies and cities focus on building a truly sustainable economy,” says Adam Capage, vice president of corporate and government affairs at 3Degrees.

With this expanded partnership, CDP and 3Degrees will be developing a series of educational opportunities aimed at developing the knowledge and skills of the CDP reporting companies, allowing them to more confidently take action on climate change, the most pressing need of our generation.

 

OneEnergy Renewables and 3Degrees announce partnership on Energy Scholars Program

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Seeking tomorrow’s renewable energy industry leaders for the 2018 program. Applications due September 24. 

In partnership with nonprofit Net Impact, OneEnergy Renewables and 3Degrees today announced they are partnering to advance the next generation of renewable energy industry leaders through a career advancement award program. The Energy Scholars program recognizes graduate students who have demonstrated outstanding leadership and commitment to building a cleaner energy future.

Through executive mentorships, industry networking, and internships, the Energy Scholars program is a proven platform for students as they begin their careers in the renewable energy industry. The program benefits each student differently based upon their area of focus and interest.

“We are thrilled to partner with 3Degrees on Energy Scholars. This partnership will expand the program’s benefits and the scholar’s experience,” said Jennifer Barnes, vice president of operations and communications at OneEnergy Renewables. “The goal of Energy Scholars has always been to cultivate exceptional leaders from a variety of backgrounds as they start their careers in the renewable energy industry. With 3Degrees, we look forward to continuing to expand industry diversity through this program.”

To learn more about the 2018 Energy Scholars program, or to submit an application before the September 24 deadline, please visit the Energy Scholars Program page. Past Energy Scholars are employed in renewable energy and sustainability positions at distinguished institutions including Amazon, National Grid, NRG Energy, SoCal Edison, Borrego Solar, Ecova, PG&E, CustomerFirst Renewables, Northrop Grumann, Rocky Mountain Institute, CAAPITAL, Nike, National Grid, Hitachi, OneEnergy Renewables and more.

“Thanks to OneEnergy’s vision six years ago, this program has already provided valuable experience for dozens of previous winners,” said Adam Capage, vice president of corporate and government affairs at 3Degrees. “3Degrees is honored to partner with OneEnergy and we hope to help broaden the impact and opportunities of the Energy Scholar Program over time.”

Awardees will be announced on October 3, 2017. Up to eight scholars will be selected for the 2018 Energy Scholars class and honored during the Net Impact Conference, being held Atlanta, October 26-28, 2017.

 

About OneEnergy Renewables
OneEnergy Renewables is an independent developer of solar energy projects across North America, with a focus on commercial, institutional and utility customers. Our experienced team of renewable energy professionals pair de-risked projects with advanced energy procurement and financial solutions to deliver construction-ready and operational solar assets.

 

 

3Degrees named “Best for the World” by B Lab

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In the top 10% of certified B Corporations worldwide for governance

3Degrees was recently honored for our accomplishments by B Lab, the nonprofit organization that certifies B Corporations. Specifically, we were recognized in the “Best for the World: Long Term” category as a result of our mission driven, transparent governance.

The 2017 Best for the World for the Long Term evaluates companies on their adoption of  a social or environmental mission, and how they engages employees, board members and the community to achieve that mission. Moreover, it assesses employee access to financial information, customers’ opportunities to provide feedback, and the diversity of the company’s governing bodies.

“Receiving this award from B Lab is testimony to one of our company values – that we are passionate about our mission…really,” said Steve McDougal, CEO of 3Degrees.  “It’s a great tribute to the work that our employees do every day to make sure that we live the values of the B Corp movement.”

Only the top 10 percent of Certified B Corporations received awards. 2017 Best for the Long Term companies winners represent 79 different industries and 13 countries.

This is the third time that 3Degrees has received a Best for the World award. In 2016, we won in the Best for the Environment category, and in 2013, we won  in the Best for the Worker category.

3Degrees has been a certified B Corp since 2012 and continually strives to improve our performance across all metrics, including social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency.

 

3Degrees announces request for proposals for equity audit

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equity audit3Degrees is seeking a third-party group to work with our diversity & inclusion committee, executive team, HR, and individual employees across the company to conduct an equity assessment/audit at the beginning of 2018, and provide recommendations to be incorporated into early 2018 goals. The full request for proposal, including instructions for submission and deadlines, can be downloaded here.

Background

At the end of 2016, we formed an employee-led diversity & inclusion committee and began forming company-wide goals for improvements in equity focused policies, processes and culture. We also created and submitted several goals to align with the BCorp Inclusion Challenge.

One of these goals centers specifically around completing an equity audit. Our hope is that this will include an assessment of our current efforts to create an equitable work environment for current and future employees as well as identify how to improve our recruitment practices to ensure maximum inclusion and build policies to better support equity through our partnerships with suppliers and vendors.

Although we’ve already implemented several diversity & inclusion trainings for employees, we recognize how important it is to establish an understanding of where we are at as a company. We’re confident that an equity audit will inform our goals and efforts moving forward.

First RGGI carbon offset project launched by 3Degrees

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Offers new opportunities to reduce carbon emissions within RGGI

3Degrees, in partnership with Dorchester Renewable Energy LLC, registered the first ever carbon offset project under the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), a mandatory cap and trade program covering the electric sector in nine states in the eastern U.S.

The project destroys methane gas from the New Beulah Landfill located on Maryland’s eastern shore. It is expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions equal to more than 20,000 metric tons of CO2 per year.

“We are pleased to continue our history of ‘firsts’ in the carbon market, which dates back to a time when we were still known as TerraPass,” said Mark Mondik, Vice President of Carbon Markets at 3Degrees.  TerraPass, renamed Origin Climate in 2014, became part of 3Degrees in a merger between the companies earlier this year.

The sale of RGGI offsets will provide the sole source of revenue to support the operation of the project.

“RGGI support is critical to this project,” said Tom Koch, Principal of Dorchester Renewable Energy. “Voluntary market prices for landfill gas offsets aren’t sufficient to make projects like this economically viable, but through RGGI we are able to reach higher-value buyers.”

According to the latest “Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks” published by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), landfills in the United States still account for around 115 million metric tons of CO2-equivalent emissions per year.

 

For fourth year, 3Degrees recognized as a Bay Area Best and Brightest

Initiatives around Diversity and Inclusion and Work-Life Balance recognized

3Degrees announced today that it was named a 2017 San Francisco Bay Area Best and Brightest Company, which recognizes companies that provide superior work environments for their employees. The results are based on an employee survey and a review of HR practices. This year, the award highlighted 3Degrees’ focus on diversity and inclusion as well as the organization’s attention to appropriate work-life balance.

“We consider improving diversity within our workforce and our industry to be of strategic importance,” said CEO Steve McDougal. “We know we have a lot more to do, but our proud to be recognized for our progress.”  

3Degrees is known for creative human resource practices and more recently has been acknowledged for its efforts around inclusion.  As a global organization with a large part-time and seasonal workforce, the company has a long history of creating a culture that supports work-life balance through flexible work arrangements, an innovative leave policy and paid volunteer hours.

In the past year, 3Degrees has increased its focus on diversity and inclusion. An employee-led committee has organized several training sessions for employees and is currently managing an equity audit that will allow us to determine priorities for the coming year. In addition, this year, 3Degrees became a sponsor of Energy Scholars, a program that helps encourage women and minorities consider careers in renewable energy.

See a list of available jobs on our careers page.

3Degrees helps BART negotiate two new renewable energy projects

Rigorous process allows BART to procure cost effective renewable energy

3Degrees is proud to be a part of BART’s historic commitment to long term renewable energy through two power purchase agreements. BART, the fifth largest rapid transit system in the US, serves San Francisco and surrounding communities. Working with the Sustainability Group at BART, our team developed and managed the solicitation process, evaluating bids from over 30 project developers. 3Degrees was also responsible for significant quantitative analysis and qualitative project and supplier assessment, allowing the team to identify those projects that provided both the best value and the best fit for BART’s unique energy needs.

“3Degrees was instrumental in providing both in-depth quantitative analysis along with real-world expertise that allowed us to quickly zero in on the best opportunities for BART,” said Holly Gordon, Sustainability Group Manager at BART, “Their team was invaluable in helping us make strategic procurement decisions in a dynamic and changing marketplace.”

The 3Degrees’ team worked closely with BART throughout contract negotiations and helped to finalize the agreements, providing key risk mitigation recommendations and solutions.

“3Degrees is proud to be a part of BART’s work on combating climate change,” says Kourtney Nelson, Director in 3Degrees’ Energy & Climate Practice. “As a leader in the transportation sector, they have now set the bar for their peers.”

These projects, which are expected to come online by 2021, will provide about 90% of BART’s electricity needs, far exceeding BART’s goal of getting 50% of their energy from renewable sources by 2025. In addition, these projects will help both lower and stabilize BART’s energy costs.