Plumbing maker Toto USA signs green power deal

Georgia Power recently signed an agreement with Toto USA, Inc. to begin providing the company with Green Energy. Under the terms of the agreement, Toto USA, Inc. has agreed to purchase 480,000 kilowatt-hours of Green Energy.

Green Energy is environmentally friendly electricity generated from sources like the sun, wind, water, landfill methane and biomass. Customers who participate in the program help reduce the environmental impact of energy production, conserve natural resources, and support domestic energy self- reliance.

"The recent Green Energy purchase by Toto USA is evidence that more and more of our customers see the value of making renewable sources a part of their energy portfolio," said Richard Holmes, Georgia Power's Metro Atlanta senior vice president. "As our newest partner, Toto USA's commitment will raise awareness of the importance Green Energy plays in protecting our environment," said Holmes.

Atlanta-based Toto USA is the North American division of Toto, Ltd., the world's largest plumbing products manufacturer with global headquarters in Kitakyushu, Fukuoka prefecture, Japan. Toto's corporate philosophy of bettering society continues unchanged since its inception in 1917. In Toto's efforts to make better the lives of its customers and to advance society in the Americas and the world, one of its most enduring corporate values is to minimize the impact of its products and manufacturing processes on the environment.

"As a socially responsible manufacturer, Toto strives to conserve environmental resources in everything we do," said Lenora Campos, Public Relations manager. "By adding earth-friendly green energy that spares landfills to our energy portfolio, we continue in our ongoing efforts to provide products and engage in business practices that conserve our natural resources, reduce pollution, and enhance environmental sustainability."

Since Georgia Power began the Green Energy program in October 2006, more than 4,000 customers have committed to purchase in excess of 19 million kilowatt-hours of Green Energy annually. The majority of the electricity Georgia Power purchases for the program comes from a methane gas landfill facility in DeKalb County, southeast of Atlanta.

Residential customers can purchase 100-kilowatt-hour blocks of Green Energy for $4.50 per block, which is added to their monthly electricity bill. Of the more than 4,000 participants enrolled in the program to date, the residential class makes up the majority. The average Georgia Power residential customer uses about 1,000 kilowatt-hours a month.

Georgia Power is the largest subsidiary of Southern Company, one of the nation's largest generators of electricity. The company is an investor-owned, tax-paying utility with rates well below the national average. Georgia Power serves 2.3 million customers in all but four of Georgia's 159 counties.

Toto is the largest plumbing manufacturer in the world with over $4.5 billion in annual sales and 80 affiliated production facilities globally. Since 1917, Toto Ltd., Japan, has been a pioneer in high-performance plumbing systems that bring consumers high quality, superbly designed, technologically advanced products that are water and energy efficient. In 1989, Toto brought its innovative technology and commitment to excellence to the U.S. market. A full line manufacturer of luxury plumbing products that optimize healthful living, Toto USA, Inc.'s success derives from its unsurpassed commitment to quality, reliability, technological innovation, and sustainability -- a commitment that pushes the company beyond industry standards. The winner of numerous domestic and international awards and recognitions, Toto USA is certified by ISO 14001: 2004 and ISO 9001: 2000. Toto USA seeks perfection by design in its expanding product line that enhances both the lives of its customers and the environment. For more information, consumers may visit www.totousa.com or call 1.888.295.8134.