Woodstock, Ill. -- Other World Computing (OWC), a PC and Mac technology company, announced that it has been recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Green Power Partnership program for its role in becoming an onsite producer of more than 100 percent of OWC’s power needs through clean, green wind power. The EPA Green Power Partnership program is a voluntary program that provides recognition to organizations demonstrating environmental leadership by using clean renewable power, either by producing power, as OWC does, or by purchasing green credits.

According to reports, OWC became the first 100 percent onsite wind powered U.S. technology manufacturer on October 19, 2009, when it activated its Vestas V39-500kW wind turbine. The turbine is projected to generate an estimated 1,250,000 kilowatt hours (kWh) per year, nearly double the current energy requirements of all OWC operations, including its internet operations datacenter for OWC.net and FasterMac.net. Excess energy produced by the OWC wind turbine is sold back to the local power provider.

"The EPA commends Other World Computing for their commitment to protecting the environment by using green power," said Susan Wickwire, Chief of the Energy Supply and Industry Branch at U.S. EPA. "By generating power with an on-site wind turbine, Other World Computing is reducing its greenhouse gas emissions, supporting clean energy technologies, and contributing to a clean energy future."

The OWC building and campus, completed in 2008, are in the final approval stages for the LEED Platinum.

The cost to install a wind turbine of OWC's caliber is typically $1.25 million with a Return On Investment (ROI) of 100 percent within 10 to 14 years based upon a 25 percent front-end investment and current energy costs. The actual ROI recovery period can be reduced significantly as energy costs increase. 

"OWC has always planned for the future, and going to 100 percent wind energy delivers both conservational as well as energy cost benefits," said Larry O'Connor, CEO, Other World Computing. "We're very pleased that our efforts have been recognized by the EPA as exhibiting environmental leadership," said O'Connor.

For complete details and a pictorial presentation on OWC's wind turbine project, as well as a virtual tour of its LEED inspired corporate campus, visit: www.macsales.com/windpower.


About Other World Computing (OWC)
Other World Computing (OWC) has been providing quality hardware products and support to the computer industry since 1988 and features one of the largest online catalogs of computer, iPod, and iPhone enhancement products through its e-commerce portal www.macsales.com. As a Premiere Level Apple Developer Connection member, OWC also provides extensive US based technical support for Macintosh users around the world as well as Internet access via www.fastermac.net and www.owc.net  

About EPA's Green Power Partnership
The Green Power Partnership is a voluntary program that encourages organizations to buy green power as a way to reduce the environmental impacts associated with purchased electricity use. The Partnership currently has more than 1,200 Partner organizations voluntarily purchasing billions of kilowatt-hours of green power annually. Partners include a wide variety of leading organizations such as Fortune 500 companies, small and medium sized businesses, local, state, and federal governments, and colleges and universities. For additional information, please visit www.epa.gov/greenpower.