EPA Recognizes L'Oréal USA Among Nation's Leading Green Power Users

NEW YORK, Aug. 18, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- L'Oréal USA announced today that it is joining the ranks of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Green Power Partnership, which recognizes the company as one of the nation's leading green power users.  L'Oréal USA is using nearly 27 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of green power annually, which is enough green power to meet 33 percent of its electricity use. The company's green power comes primarily from on-site solar arrays at eight of its facilities as well as utility green power products. This multifaceted approach demonstrates L'Oréal USA's commitment to cleaner renewable energy alternatives and positions it as the second largest user of on-site green power amongst consumer products companies within the Green Power Partnership.

L'Oréal's drive for increased renewable energy use is an important facet of the company's global sustainability strategy, Sharing Beauty with All. Under the program, L'Oréal has made a global commitment that by 2020 it will reduce its CO2 emissions in the United States by 60 percent from its 2005 baseline. L'Oréal USA reached its goal of a 60 percent reduction at the end of 2015 and has continued to accelerate its carbon reduction strategy. 

"We are proud to be recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for our renewable energy achievements," said Fréderic Rozé, President and CEO of L'Oréal USA. "As the world's beauty leader, it is our responsibility to integrate sustainability into all areas of our business and this partnership signifies the company's ongoing effort to identify cleaner sources of power."

According to the U.S. EPA, L'Oréal USA's green power use of nearly 27 million kWh is equivalent to the electricity use of nearly 3,150 average American homes annually.

"EPA is excited to welcome L'Oréal USA as a Green Power Partner and applauds their use of on-site green power and taking a leadership position on the environment," said James Critchfield, Manager of the Green Power Partnership. "L'Oréal USA is helping to support the voluntary renewable energy market, reduce harmful air pollution, and demonstrates that using green power is smart for business and the environment."

The EPA defines green power as zero-emissions electricity that is generated from environmentally preferable renewable resources, such as wind, solar, geothermal, biogas, eligible biomass, and low-impact hydro. Using green power helps accelerate the development of new renewable energy capacity nationwide and helps users reduce their carbon footprints.

About L'Oreal USA
L'Oréal USA is the largest subsidiary of the L'Oréal Group, the world's leading beauty company. L'Oréal USA manages a portfolio of more than 30 iconic beauty brands, including Garnier, Giorgio Armani Beauty, Kérastase, Lancôme, La Roche-Posay, L'Oréal Paris and Yves Saint Laurent Beauté.  L'Oréal USA also serves as the international hub for the product development and marketing strategy for L'Oréal's 15 American brands: Baxter of California, Carol's Daughter, Clarisonic, Dermablend, Essie, Kiehl's, Matrix, Maybelline New York, Mizani, NYX Professional Makeup, Ralph Lauren Fragrances, Redken, Softsheen-Carson, SkinCeuticals and Urban Decay. Generating more than $6 billion in sales annually, L'Oréal USA is committed to growth through sustainable innovation, driven by the company's Sharing Beauty with All ambition for sustainable development across the Group's value chain. The company is headquartered in New York City, employs more than 10,000 people, and operates administrative, research, manufacturing and distribution facilities across 13 states, including Arkansas, California, Florida, Kentucky, New Jersey, Ohio, Texas and Washington. For more information, visit www.lorealusa.com or follow on Twitter @LOrealUSA.

About EPA's Green Power Partnership
The Green Power Partnership is a voluntary program that encourages organizations to use green power as a way to reduce the environmental impacts associated with electricity use. The Partnership currently has more than 1,400 Partner organizations voluntarily using billions of kilowatt-hours of green power annually. Partners include a wide variety of leading organizations such as Fortune 500^® companies; small and medium sized businesses; local, state, and federal governments; and colleges and universities. For additional information, please visit www.epa.gov/greenpower.

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SOURCE L'Oreal USA