View Second Editor's Note Update

Editor's note: Woodworking Network posted the news item below - Steelcase Matches Consumption with Renewable Energy Investment - on March 19 based on a press release issued by Steelcase Inc. dated March 13.

On March 21, Mark Schurman, director of corporate communications for Herman Miller, a Steelcase competitor based in Zeeland, MI, sent an e-mail to Woodworking Network Contributing Editor Wade Vonasek calling into question the accuracy of Steelcase's claim that "it is the first major company in its industry to purchase non-emitting renewable energy equivalent to 100% of its global electricity consumption."

"Noted your article cited Steelcase as first to achieve 100% green energy use, however we reached that milestone in 2010 and have maintained since," Schurman said. Schurman also sent a link to a press release issued by Herman Miller on April 22, 2010, since posted verbatim on Woodworking Network, headlined, Herman Miller Achieves 100 Percent Green Electrical Energy Use.

Woodworking Network's multiple attempts to obtain a comment or clarification from Laura Van Slyke, listed as the press contact on the Steelcase release, were unsuccessful.

Woodworking Network will post comments or clarifications from Steelcase if and when they are received.

GRAND RAPIDS, MI - Steelcase Inc., a developer and manufacturer of furniture products and services for workplaces, announced its long-term renewable energy investment is equivalent to 100% of its global electricity consumption, making the company the 15th largest 100% renewable energy purchaser in the United States, according to the U.S. EPA's Green Power Partnership.

Since the company began tracking its consumption in 2001, its larger energy strategy has resulted in a 60% reduction in energy use. Steelcase purchases its renewable energy credits (RECs) from a portfolio that includes newer projects and non-emitting sources like wind and hydroelectric energy in North America and Europe, and it is the first major company in its industry to purchase non-emitting renewable energy equivalent to 100% of its global electricity consumption.

“Our commitment to renewable energy is reflective of our passion for innovation and the environment. We're helping grow an industry that will ultimately benefit the entire world,” said Jim Keane, president and CEO of Steelcase Inc. “But as a reflection of our company values, we maintain a sense of urgency in limiting our use of fossil fuels. Steelcase remains focused on identifying innovative ways to build the energy efficiency of our operations, to reduce the embodied energy of our products, and to help our customers optimize their own real estate and energy use.”

“We congratulate Steelcase Inc. for using 100% renewable energy and taking a leadership position on the environment,” said Blaine Collison, director of EPA's Green Power Partnership. “The impressive green power commitment of Steelcase helps reduce carbon emissions and provides an excellent example for other organizations.”