Toyota Plugs into Clean Power from Edison Source
22 April 1998
Toyota Plugs into Clean Power from Edison Source
TORRANCE, Calif., April 22 -- Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A.
(TMS), Inc., will soon become the largest single user worldwide of 100-percent
renewable power. The company announced today that all of the "environmentally
friendly" electricity used at its U.S. headquarters site here, along with
facilities in Long Beach, Irvine and Ontario, Calif., will now come from power
provided by Edison Source, a member of the Edison Enterprises family.
Designed as a cleaner alternative to conventional power, Edison Source's
EarthSource(SM) electricity is derived from natural "renewable" sources such
as solar, wind, hydro-electric, biomass and geothermal. This power is
generated in a way that creates less air pollution than fossil fuels, such as
coal, oil or gas.
"As the fourth-largest auto company in the U.S., Toyota has a
responsibility to the environment that runs beyond designing, building and
selling clean, efficient and high quality cars and trucks," said Yoshi
Ishizaka, TMS president and CEO. "We also must reevaluate every part of our
operations from recycling waste paper to purchasing renewable-resource
electricity."
Toyota's purchase of EarthSource renewable power is a significant
investment in the environment. The company estimates an annual usage of 38
million kWh in renewable energy, which demonstrates its leadership in
promoting clean air initiatives.
"With the launch of EarthSource, we see a new opportunity for a better
environment through the choices our customers will have in the market," said
Stephen E. Pazian, president and CEO of Edison Enterprises. "We applaud
Toyota's bold forward thinking and commitment, and hope many more California
companies and consumers will follow Toyota's lead in helping to clean up the
environment."
Appropriately, the announcement of this new partnership comes on Earth
Day, a time when both individual and corporate citizens pay tribute to the
environment.
To commemorate Earth Day and the agreement between Toyota and Edison
Source, senior executives from both companies, along with other government
officials, will participate in a "first pitch ceremony" prior to the evening
baseball game between the Anaheim Angels and Baltimore Orioles at Edison
International Field of Anaheim.
"We are pleased that Toyota will join us this evening at the ballpark to
help celebrate Earth Day," commented Neal Starling, Edison Source vice
president of national sales. "The participation of both our companies
represents teamwork and future commitment."
Edison Source will also host EarthSource EcoFair '98 on the stadium
grounds before and during the game. The event will feature the region's
leading environmental organizations and electric vehicle displays sponsored by
Toyota and Edison EV.
Headquartered in the City of Industry, Edison Source is one of four Edison
Enterprises businesses. The company specializes in bringing innovative energy
solutions, products and services to business and retail customers. The other
Edison Enterprises companies are Edison EV (Electric Vehicles), the leading
provider of on and off-road electric vehicle charging systems and
infrastructure; Edison Select, which markets a broad range of consumer
products and services; and Edison Utility Services, specializing in electric
utility billing, outage management and transmission and distribution
outsourcing services.
Established in 1957, TMS is the U.S. sales and marketing arm of Toyota
Motor Corporation, with responsibility for the distribution and sale of Toyota
and Lexus vehicles in the United States. With nearly 1.2 million vehicles
sold in 1997 and more than 60 percent of those built in North America, Toyota
is the fourth-largest car company in the U.S.
SOURCE Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A.
