Big Business Leading the Way to a 100% Self Sustained United States

Big business is quickly learning that creating a company that is completely off the power grid and using 100 percent renewable energy is a long term profitable endeavor. Many companies are taking advantage of tax breaks and government grants that are now available for companies that strive to be off the power grid and experiment with new and creative ways to become 100 percent self sustained.

In a poll taken over the summer many consumers feel that most businesses are giving lip service to creating companies that are environmentally responsible. The following companies are making strides and along with their efforts here are a few suggestions for these companies to make money on their new found desire to be environmentally responsible.

General Electric: Ahead of the Curve With Alternative Energy Solutions

General Electric has been on the leading edge of the self sustained movement for years and now they are ready to cash in. General Electrics Ecomagination projects have ranged from solar panels to wind turbines. General Electric has prioritized electric vehicles in conjunction with their alternative energy products to create alternatives. Suggestion to move them forward: Take a cue from Lincoln Field in Philadelphia and set about converting stadiums in the United States to models of self sustained ingenuity.

NV Energy: Working on Supplying Nevada Power Grid With 100% Solar Power

NV Energy is busy constructing solar thermal power plants across the state of Nevada with a long term goal of creating a state completely powered by solar energy. The company is involved with a few joint projects with Southern California Edison along the California border and more project towards the middle of the state including Tonopah. Suggestion: Create incentives to convert all casinos on Las Vegas Strip to 100% solar power by year 2020.

McDonald's

McDonald's has created an entire branch that is responsible for sustainability issues and they have made efforts to reduce packaging and waste. McDonald's recycling efforts and the experimentation of restaurants that use 25% less energy have made headway for the company but they can be more aggressive. Suggestions: Power all McDonald's with solar energy, commit to use locally grown produce (within 25 miles) and convert their fleet of tractor trailers to alternative energy by the year 2020.One more suggestion: Eliminate plastic cups.

Dupont

Dupont has created many alternatives for customers seeking renewable materials. Beginning in 2007 the company introduced renewable energy bio-fuels containing 20 percent material from renewable sources and no petroleum based product.

This step will eventually lead to creating products from 100 percent renewable sources. It may be considered baby steps by some but for Dupont this is a major change in a positive direction. Suggestion: Create 100% self sustained workplaces that utilize solar and wind power to generate power in their manufacturing facilities.

Home Depot

Home Depot dedicated themselves to becoming environmentally responsible on Earth Day 1990. The company is currently involved in installing solar panels on 62 of their stores by the end of 2011 and their goal is to cut their power usage by another five percent by 2015. This will result in a 20 percent reduction since 2004.

Suggestion: Create a push for individual homeowners to convert their houses to solar power. Host demonstrations and workshops for the consumers and help them receiver their tax credits for solar power conversion.

Anheuser Busch

Anheuser Busch likes to proclaim their values as a company that has been recycling and reusing since their inception. They now recycle 99 percent of their waste water and are using a system called "BERS" Bio-Energy Recovery System which recycles waste which is nutrient rich for bio-fuel. This fuel powers 15 percent of their fleet. Suggestion: Convert 100 percent of their fleet to alternative fuel and power all of their plants with solar energy within ten years.

Enterprise Rent A Car

Enterprise is converting a majority of their fleet of rental cars to flex fuel and electric cars. The Chevy Volt and Nissan Leaf are two electric vehicles that will be readily available soon from a majority of Enterprise locations. The company is not stopping there. They are also converting their locations to LEED building standards.

The company is focusing on lowering their energy costs and increasing their recycling efforts in each and every company location. Suggestion: Set a goal of 100 percent electric vehicles within 15 years and convert all locations to solar power within 15 years.