FAQ

PrAna is offsetting 100% of the electricity used to power 400 retail locations worldwide in addition to its corporate offices, full-time employees' homes and athletes' travel. PrAna supports the generation of an equal amount of renewable energy through the purchase of US EPA-approved green-e certified Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) and Verified Emission Reductions (VERs) in an effort to generate renewable energy globally and honor the standards of the Kyoto protocols. This commitment is in line with prAna's hope to use the brand as a vehicle for positive change.

Generating electricity from wind still costs more than generating it from fossil fuel sources, in spite of exciting advancement in wind energy technology. The additional funds provided to renewable energy generators through the purchase of certificates by prAna and others provide critical additional financial incentive for project expansion and future development.

No. It is not possible to send the electricity directly to store facilities or any other specific end user location because of the nature of the electricity grid. Electrons are stubborn. You can't tell them where to go. Once renewable electricity is delivered to the electric grid, it mixes with power from other generating plants. This means the actual electricity generated from 'green' sources cannot be directed to a specific home or business.

prAna's commitment assures an amount of renewable energy equal to 100% of four hundred retail locations' usage will be delivered to the electricity grid, the large pool of electricity that we all draw from for our homes and businesses.

Through our commitment and the commitments of others, the pool of energy over time is becoming greener and cleaner, because less electricity from natural gas, coal, or other nonrenewable fuels is required to meet demand.

No. The electricity will continue to be uninterrupted even when the wind isn't blowing. As always, the retail locations are still connected to the respective regional electricity systems.

The Natural Power Initiative supports wind and clean energy projects in the following locations:

• Harlowton, Montana, USA
• Pincher Creek, Alberta, Canada
• Heilongjiang Province, China
• Maharashtra, India
• Karnataka, India

Yes. All of the facilities supported by prAna’s commitment began operation on or after October 2004. prAna wants to utilize its purchase to help develop new renewable energy sources. These recently constructed projects were built to meet the growing demands of organizations like prAna.

All VERs are verified against publicly-accepted standards for quality. VERs are sourced from specific projects that result in real, enforceable, and permanent greenhouse gas emission reductions and are third-party verified against objective, credible and transparent standards.

All RECs meet the Green-e standards developed by the Center for Resource Solutions, an independent non-profit organization, certifying that Green-e Certified® products are not double counted and offer incremental environmental benefits.

'Renewable energy' is energy obtained from sources that essentially are inexhaustible, UNLIKE fossil fuels, for example, of which there are finite supplies. The non-profit Center for Resource Solutions, the main group responsible for auditing and oversight of the green power industry, considers the following types of electrical generation renewable energy: wind, solar, geothermal, biomass, landfill gas, and small hydroelectric (30 megawatts capacity or less).

Renewable energy plays a vital role in facilitating the transition away from fossil fuels, which negatively impact our environment and are a leading cause of global warming and other environmental and health concerns. Today, only 2% of the country's electricity supply is generated by renewable energy sources. The growth of renewable energy is partly driven by voluntary purchases of green power.

The Green-e Program www.green-e.org sets consumer protection and environmental standards for electricity products, and verifies that Green-e certified products meet these standards. To learn more about the Center for Resource Solutions, visit www.resource-solutions.org or call 1-888-63-GREEN.

The EPA Green Power Partnership is the federal recognition body supporting organizations that voluntarily power their businesses with renewable energy. The Green Power Partnership encourages organizations to use green power as a part of best-practice environmental management. Participation in the EPA Green Power Partnership will bring technical expertise to PrAna and national recognition through awards and press announcements. PrAna is a member of the EPA Green Power Partnership. For more information, visit www.epa.gov/greenpower.

3Degrees, the provider of Renewable Energy Certificates and Verified Emissions Reductions to PrAna, seeks to reduce the magnitude of climate change by building global markets that foster more sustainable businesses and communities. 3Degrees delivers customized global climate change solutions to U.S. businesses, utilities and institutions. Its expertise in sourcing verified emissions reductions and certified renewable energy certificates enables customers to reduce their carbon footprint.

There are thousands of businesses supporting green power across the United States either through direct purchases through utility green pricing programs or by purchasing Renewable Energy Certificates.