(Source: Business Wire)Applied Materials, Inc. announced today that it has received a 2009 Green Power Leadership Award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The annual awards recognize the country's leading green power purchasers for their commitment and contribution to helping advance the development of the nation's voluntary green power market. EPA presented Applied Materials with the award at an event held in conjunction with the 2009 Renewable Energy Markets Conference in Atlanta, Georgia.

Applied Materials was one of only three organizations nationwide to receive a Leadership Award for the on-site generation of green power. The award recognizes EPA Green Power Partners who distinguish themselves using on-site renewable energy applications, such as solar photovoltaic (PV) or wind energy projects. Applied Materials is currently generating 3.2 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of green power annually in the U.S. using on-site solar power generation at the company's California and Texas facilities. In addition, Applied Materials purchases more than 31 million kWh of green power annually. In total, the company uses enough green power to meet more than 15 percent of its electricity use.

"Purchasing and generating green power are important elements of our long-term commitment to business and global sustainability," said Bruce Klafter, senior director for Environmental Health and Safety and head of Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability at Applied Materials. "Through our solar installations we are demonstrating the ease of integrating clean energy into existing business campuses and proving that solar power is a sound business decision, in addition to being an important choice in combating climate change."

Applied Materials is purchasing green power in support of EPA's Fortune 500 Green Power Challenge. EPA is challenging Fortune 500 Corporations to collectively exceed 10 billion kilowatt-hours green power purchasing by year end 2009. Applied Materials' purchase ranks No. 26 in the United States.

Green power is electricity that is generated from environmentally preferable renewable resources, such as wind, solar, geothermal, biogas, biomass and low-impact hydro. These resources generate electricity with a net zero increase in carbon dioxide emissions, while offering a superior environmental profile compared to traditional power generation sources. Green power purchases also support the development of new renewable energy generation sources nationwide.

"EPA's Green Power Leadership award winners are raising the bar for green power purchasing," said Kathleen Hogan, Director of EPA's Climate Protection Partnerships Division.