The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has recognized University of Wisconsin Credit Union in Madison, Wis., with a2013 Green Power Leadership Award for its green power purchasingefforts.

UWCU was one of only eight organizations nationwide to behonored.

“We are proud to receive this prestigious award,” said BradMcClain, UWCU executive vice president and CFO.

“Purchasing green power helps our organization become more sustainable,while also sending a message to others across the U.S. thatsupporting clean sources of electricity is a sound businessdecision and an important choice in addressing climate change,”McClain said.

The award, presented Monday at an event held in conjunction withthe 2013 EPA Renewable Energy Markets Conference in Austin, Texas,recognizes EPA Green Power Partners who distinguish themselvesthrough purchases of green power from a utility green-pricingprogram, a competitive green marketer or a renewable energycertificate (REC) supplier.

The $1.6 billion UWCU currently purchases nearly 3 millionkilowatt-hours of green power annually, enough to meet 100% of theorganization's purchased electricity use.

According to the EPA, this is the equivalent to avoiding thecarbon dioxide emissions of more than 400 passenger vehicles peryear, or is the equivalent amount of electricity needed to powernearly 300 average American homes annually.

UWCU said it has been an EPA Green Power Partner since 2011.Earlier this year, the credit union received the EPA's Green PowerLeadership Club designation for purchasing green power, making themthe first credit union in the nation to earn the distinction.

Since 2008, UWCU has reduced its carbon dioxide emissions by 78%and water usage by 18% since 2007. All new UWCU branches followLEED guidelines, the credit union said.