California, USA - Wells Fargo & Co. said it will buy renewable energy certificates (RECs) to support generating 550 million kilowatt-hours of clean, renewable wind energy a year for three years.

With this action, Wells Fargo becomes the largest corporate purchaser of renewable energy in the U.S., according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

“This purchase further demonstrates our company’s commitment to both environmental stewardship and environmental leadership and it reflects the desire of our team members to do what’s right for our customers, our communities, and our company,” said John Stumpf, president and COO.

The purchase will offset 40 percent of Wells Fargo’s electricity consumption with 100 percent Green-e certified wind energy. It will help develop renewable energy and prevent the emission of 380,000 tons of carbon dioxide each year, the equivalent of reducing the CO2 emissions of 75,000 cars annually or by reducing the equivalent CO2 emissions associated with 40,000,000 gallons of gasoline each year.

“Wells Fargo is a leading example of how corporate America can reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with electricity use,” said Kathleen Hogan, Director of the Climate Protection Partnership Division for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. “Wells Fargo is now the top corporate purchaser among EPA’s Green Power Partners to purchase clean, renewable energy. EPA applauds Wells Fargo for its purchase and hopes other U.S. corporations follow their lead.”

“Our commitment to this purchase is not just good for the environment, it’s good business,” said Don Dana, head of the company’s Corporate Properties Group, which has achieved energy savings of up to 20 percent at many Wells Fargo locations. “Energy conservation is one part of the equation. The second is supporting generation of cleaner, alternative sources of energy. Combined, these efforts will result in a healthier environment and a stronger economy.”

Wells Fargo supports renewable energy and energy efficiency in its business practices and operations. Wells Fargo recently invested in a Texas-based wind farm and has provided $720 million in financing to develop Leadership in Energy Efficiency and Design (LEED) certified buildings. The company implements energy efficiency measures in its existing and new buildings. For example, replacing cooling equipment at Wells Fargo Plaza in Phoenix with high-efficiency equipment reduced the building’s energy consumption by nearly 30 percent. Two Wells Fargo buildings in San Francisco have been designated as ENERGY STAR buildings (among the top 10 percent of energy-efficient buildings in the country.) In California, Wells Fargo has been recognized for its 20 percent reduction in energy use at its administrative buildings, a reduction it has sustained since 2001.

Wells Fargo’s RECs are supplied by 3 Phases Energy, a national renewable energy marketing and development company. The nonprofit Center for Resource Solutions’ Green-e(r) program certifies and verifies the RECs. With Green-e certification, Wells Fargo has an independent assurance that its renewable energy certificate purchase supports generation from 100-percent new renewable resources that meet strict consumer and environmental protection standards. The three-year purchase agreement begins October 1, 2006.