Reliant announced the donation of $110,000 to Houston’s Friends For Life, the only no-kill, LEED-certified animal rescue shelter and adoption organization in Houston. The donation supports the installation of rooftop solar and solar on the nonprofit’s Mobile Adoption Vehicle. To celebrate, Reliant teamed up with the shelter to host an adoption event on March 25 at Friends For Life headquarters.
“Supporting local organizations that are important to our community is a big part of who we are as a company, and supporting the solar installation at Friends For Life is just one way we work to make a difference by doing what we do best—powering Texans with innovative energy,” said Elizabeth Killinger, president, Reliant and NRG Retail. “As the fastest-growing shelter in Houston, we’re pleased to help Friends For Life achieve their mission to save animals’ lives while also saving on their electricity usage.”
The new solar installation includes 96 panels on the nonprofit’s Don Sanders Adoption Center and will offset the shelter’s electricity use by roughly 13% per year, which will allow the shelter to instead devote those resources to providing all food, supplies and medicine for four animals for an entire year. The system also includes a monitoring device that shows actual electricity production and consumption, offering insight into the shelter’s energy usage and helping them manage operations more efficiently.
Friends for Life explains its commitment to green on its website:
“We chose to build the center to the rigorous LEED green standards because we value not just the lives of the companion animals we serve, but the people and the planet as well.”
“The environment is healthier for the animals and the people who visit and work here. The footprint we leave on the planet is smaller. Our green building integrates respect for people, animals and the planet in a cohesive way.”
“In program, construction and design, this is the shelter of the future.”
As part of the $110,000 donation, Reliant also provided the funds for solar panels to outfit the nonprofit’s Mobile Adoption Vehicle (MAV), a state-of-the-art, 26-foot vehicle that brings dogs and cats to community events and high-traffic locations throughout the Houston area to encourage adoption and raise awareness. The technology will help the MAV’s battery stay charged, reduce use of diesel generators and power the vehicle’s lights, refrigerator, water pump and other equipment to help the animals stay comfortable and healthy.
“We are grateful for Reliant’s partnership and excited to implement this new sustainable energy solution at our facility. Every dollar we save on overhead costs like electricity can help save another animal and find their forever home,” said Salise Shuttlesworth, executive director and founder, Friends For Life.
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