Viridian Service Project in Indonesia Proves You Cannot Give Selflessly

STAMFORD, Conn., Aug. 9, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- After a recent service trip in rural Indonesia, 34 Associates and staff from Viridian Energy succeeded in improving access to clean water and renewable energy for the people of the Gedepahala region on the island of Java.  But the most surprising and lasting changes may be the ones that transformed the participants themselves. Despite their attempts at selflessness the Viridian volunteers returned to the United States feeling they had gained far more than they had given.

"We gave the resources that were valuable to us -- our time, talent, muscle -- and in exchange we got life lessons, perspectives, and a deeper understanding of what it means to be a good neighbor on this Earth we share," said Michael Fallquist, Founder and CEO of Viridian Energy. "These gifts certainly help the communities we serve but also make us better people. We are grateful for the opportunity to learn and grow."

The Viridian team partnered with Conservation International and Goal Zero in and around the Gede-Pangrango National Park and achieved a number of project goals including:

• Planting 1001 trees on degraded lands as part of a Conservation International "green wall" project to create a natural buffer bordering an endangered forest, prevent soil erosion, and protect water sources essential to millions living in cities downstream.
• Repairing four kilometers of piping that is the source of clean water for hundreds of families in the village of Bodogol.
• Installing solar panels in Genteng village to provide access to reliable electrical power for the first time and to introduce residents to the benefits and possibilities of renewable energy.

These projects were designed by CI, Goal Zero, and Viridian to initiate ripples of change that build into a sustainable global ecosystem. For example, the reforestation project not only improves the land but it also provides livelihoods for people in the surrounding communities who are trained and employed in forest conservation. The Indonesia effort is part of Viridian's annual global sustainability initiative, '7 Continents in 7 Years.' Asia is the third of seven continents Viridian has visited.

"We push for change in the world because we can and because we must," said Cami Boehme, SVP of Marketing and Brand Strategy. "We work everyday to make a difference because it is our unique opportunity in the world. And the beauty of it is that our efforts, however small, have returned a world of wonder, gratitude, growth and prosperity back to us. Even more importantly, they have created a ripple effect of change among the people in Indonesia." 

To learn more about Viridian Energy and its sustainability initiatives, including '7 Continents in 7 Years,' please visit www.liveviridian.com.

About Viridian Energy

Viridian Energy is a socially responsible retail energy supplier that provides greener electricity and clean-burning natural gas at affordable prices. The company services commercial and residential electricity and natural gas customers in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Washington, D.C., and Virginia with electricity derived from renewable sources and natural gas. Viridian is a member of the Crius Energy family of best-in-class energy brands.

About Crius Energy

Crius Energy is one of the largest independent energy retailers operating in the United States, with approximately 596,000 residential customer equivalents. Crius serves residential and small to medium-size commercial customers in the United States and markets its products through a variety of sales channels and brand names. The Company currently sells electricity in 13 states and the District of Columbia and natural gas in eight states.

SOURCE Viridian Energy