US Light Energy Sustainability Policy

A.  Purpose

This document describes Solitude Solar, LLC d.b.a. U.S. Light Energy for conducting operations and activities in an environmentally responsible and sustainable manner.

B.  Background

U.S. Light Energy is a New York based solar energy development company specializing in Community Solar facilities and renewable energy solutions for residential, small commercial, and municipal customers. We create renewable energy projects where everyone can be proud to participate and help create a better future for our children and our planet. Our commitment to a sustainable energy future is mirrored by our commitment to act sustainably in all our business operations and activities, as we continue to work to minimize our own resource consumption and negative environmental impact.

The U.S. Light Energy Sustainability Policy establishes the following important commitments:

• Compliance with all federal, State, and local environmental policies, laws and regulations.
• Prevention of pollution by minimizing the generation of wastes where possible, reducing consumption, recycling materials, and disposing of wastes in an environmentally responsible manner.
• Integration of environmental and health considerations into decision-making processes.

All U.S. Light Energy employees are responsible for being aware of the environmental and health impacts of their jobs, and for continually striving to minimize these impacts as set forth in this policy.

C.  Policy

U.S. Light Energy is committed to conducting our operations and activities in an environmentally responsible and sustainable manner.  We are committed to complying with all applicable laws and regulations.  We recognize that reducing and, where possible, eliminating the environmental impacts of our activities is an important part of our commitment to a sustainable energy future.  We strive to be a leader in our industry in achieving environmental excellence and will work with our employees and other internal and external entities to establish and follow responsible environmental practices.

The U.S. Light Energy guiding principles and practices to achieve resource conservation, waste reduction, and sustainability overall are summarized below:

• Comply with mandatory requirements and conduct our activities and operate our facilities within applicable environmental laws and regulations
• Conserve energy and other natural resources
• Reduce, reuse, and recycle to reduce waste
• Minimize the production of hazardous waste
• Adopt green procurement practices
• Continue to review and minimize the impacts of our activities

D.  Corporate Responsibilities

Environmental Impact

U.S. Light Energy will take appropriate steps to limit its environmental impact and overall carbon footprint by making every effort to:

1. Conserve energy and minimize our use of electricity, natural gas, and water
2. Reduce our materials consumption and waste, which will be reused or recycled as much as possible to divert if from the landfill
3. Reduce fossil fuel consumption, air pollution and emissions of our office space and as a result of business travel
4. Increase material reuse and recycling
5. Commit to the purchase and use of recycled, reusable and sustainably manufactured products

Energy Conservation

Every effort will be made to:

1. Turn off lights when not in use and use natural light when possible.
2. Turn off, not just log off, all computers, terminals, speakers and other office equipment at the end of every workday.
3. Turn off your power strip at the end of every workday.
4. Activate the power down features on your computer and monitor to enter into a low-power or sleep mode when not in use.
5. Unplug equipment that drains energy even when not in use (e.g., cell phone chargers, fans, coffee makers, desktop printers, radios).
6. Use compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) in desk lamps as opposed to incandescent lights whenever possible.
7. Use the stairs when possible.
8. Utilize videoconferencing and conference calls as an alternative to travel when possible.
9. Limit the use of space heaters.

Reduction of Materials Consumption

Employees are encouraged to:

1. Avoid using paper by distributing and storing documents electronically whenever possible.
2. Print and photocopy only what you need and double side your jobs when possible.
3. Tell staff and colleagues that you prefer double-sided documents.
4. Use the back side of old documents for faxes, scrap paper for drafts.

Reduce Fossil Fuel Consumption and Air Pollution

Employees are encouraged to:

1. Ride mass transit or other alternative forms of transportation, whenever possible.
2. Use carpools or vanpools over single use cars.

Minimize Waste and Increase Recycling

Every effort will be made to:

1. Make use of durable, reusable beverage containers, plates, and utensils.
2. Reduce the amount of toner in documents that will be printed.
3. Print documents in black and white or grayscale.
4. Recycle paper, paper products, plastic, binders, folders, catalogs, boxes, bottles, cans, batteries, electronics, toner and ink cartridges.
5. Recycle plastic and paper products in accordance with local regulations.

Commitment to Green Purchasing

U.S. Light Energy will commit to:

1. Purchase copier and printer paper that contains at least 30% post-consumer recycled content.
2. Purchase office supplies and furniture that contain the highest percentage of recycled and non-toxic content whenever possible.
3. Purchase products that contain biobased content whenever possible.
4. Purchase Energy Star office equipment.

 

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