Give the Gift of Protected Forests This Holiday Season

Last minute holiday shoppers can give the gift of a cleaner, greener world with CleanChoice Energy's new carbon offset program. The new program allows people to support the protection and replenishment of forests in Appalachia where coal mining and logging have destroyed over 1.4 million acres and altered approximately 83 percent of the habitat in this ecoregion. New research shows that forests are still the best technology we have to pull carbon out of the air.

"The forests in Appalachia are some of the most beautiful in the world. Revitalizing them is a huge climate and environmental priority, and we're glad to do our part," said Tom Matzzie, CEO of CleanChoice Energy. "As the world meets in Poland to try to find an international solution to climate, we want to make it easy for individuals to do their part by taking their own action now."

Each $25 gift of carbon offsets supports the protection and sustainable care of one acre of forests in Appalachia. These critical forests absorb and sequester carbon dioxide, storing it in their trunks, leaves, branches, roots and even in the forest soil.

The forests in Appalachia are home to more than 158 tree species, ranking it among the highest ecoregions in North America for total floral diversity. In conjunction with the Appalachian Mixed Mesophytic Forests, this ecoregion contains the highest total amount of endemic flora and fauna species in North America.

Giving the gift of forest protection is simple. People can go online to select the number of acres they want to gift. Once complete, CleanChoice sends a holiday email and certificate with their gift information - and the gift giver receives a receipt.

About CleanChoice EnergyCleanChoice Energy is a renewable energy company empowering utility customers to cut emissions and support 100% clean energy. The company provides renewable electricity to customers by supporting regional wind and solar farms and selling that clean power to homes and businesses. CleanChoice Energy is certified with the highest available rating by Green America's Green Business Network. For more information or to become a customer, visit CleanChoiceEnergy.com.