The U.S. Embassy in Sweden signed a five-year contract on November 29 with Fortum Markets to receive "Bra Miljöval" electricity, beginning January 1, 2008. The "Bra Miljöval" ("Good Environmental Choice") designation is in accord with criteria set by the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation.

"The U.S. Embassy is doing whatever it can to address the challenge of climate change, to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions, and to encourage development of renewable-energy technologies,"Ambassador Michael Wood said. "This new electricity contract is in keeping with our commitment to partner with Sweden in every way possible for cleaner energy."

In Sweden vendors of "Bra Miljöval" electricity are obliged to transfer part of their proceeds from the sale of environmentally labelled electricity into a separate fund. The money in this fund is then used to mitigate the environmental impact of hydropower production.

Fortum's Nordic Environmental Fund took part in water area restoration projects in 2006 at the Gullspång and Klarälven rivers and Lake Sommen. The projects aim at improving the living and breeding conditions of endangered fish species in these water systems.

In 2006 Fortum was the largest provider of eco-labelled electricity in the Nordic countries. In order to use the Good Environmental Choice eco-label electricity generation must be based on renewable sources. Hydroelectric plants built before 1996, solar power, wind power and biofuel are all regarded as renewable energy sources by the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation.

"We are extremely proud of this contract," said Johan Lind, the Fortum Markets sales manager for Sweden. "The Embassy has a strong climate focus, and we, of course, are especially happy to have been chosen as suppliers. The contract we see as yet another sign that our extensive environmental efforts are paying off."