Stay Classy and BeGreen Launch Cut the Carbon Campaign

Partnership to Help San Diego Businesses Go Green for Earth Day; Organization’s Annual Charity Event to Be Carbon Neutral

SAN DIEGO, CA – The San Diego-based philanthropic social networking company, Stay Classy, has announced the launch of its new "Cut the Carbon" campaign-a carbon reduction initiative designed to help San Diego businesses reduce their carbon footprint. 

Through a partnership with BeGreen Carbon Offsets, the carbon offset division of Green Mountain Energy Company, local businesses will have the opportunity to help Mother Earth by offsetting the average carbon emissions created by the estimated normal daily operations of their company on Earth Day, April 22, 2008.

Cutting the Carbon

The Stay Classy Cut the Carbon Campaign provides businesses a one-day opportunity to neutralize their impact on global warming by purchasing carbon offsets made from clean technologies.  With each purchase, businesses support projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, such as the development of renewable energy sources like solar, wind and biomass, forest sequestration (planting trees) and new energy efficiency technologies. 

Greening San Diego

To kick-off the campaign, BeGreen will offset the total calculated carbon emissions from electricity associated with Stay Classy’s annual signature event, the Charity Jam Concert at Pacific Beach on April 19.  This year’s event includes 15 local bands and DJs performing on four stages.  In addition to the event cutting its carbon, the concert will feature a solar powered stage, recycling stations and green vending and ticketing.  Event proceeds will be used to support a number of environmental initiatives in San Diego, such as tree planting and marine conservation.

"This campaign symbolizes a strong partnership between local residents, businesses, and non profits who want to make a positive impact in our community" said Scot Chisholm, CEO of StayClassy.org.  "Through these efforts, Stay Classy members will be able to give back by simply attending our events, signing up to volunteer, or making a donation.  We’re proud to have spearheaded this initiative, but our members are really the catalyst for positive change!"

 "San Diego and Southern California are home to some of most beautiful natural resources in the country, and we’re proud to be part of preserving this truly remarkable setting," said Gillan Taddune, Chief Environmental Officer of Green Mountain Energy Company.  "More and more businesses are looking for practical and effective options that demonstrate their commitment to the environment to their customers as well as their employees.  By partnering with Stay Classy for this campaign, we hope to provide that opportunity to San Diego businesses."

Each purchase is tax-deductible and comes with an official certificate created by Green Mountain Energy Company.  To participate in the program, businesses can visit http://www.stayclassy.org/, email info@stayclassy.org or call Scot Chisholm 617.694.7963.

Major sponsors of the Stay Classy Cut the Carbon Campaign include FM91X, DiscoverSD.com and Vavi Sport & Social Club and PACIFIC Magazine.

About StayClassy.org (www.stayclassy.org)

Stay Classy is San Diego’s largest philanthropic social networking company focused on engaging young professionals in charitable initiatives through creative events, strategic partnerships and its website http://www.stayclassy.org/. Founded in 2005 by a small group of dedicated San Diegans, Stay Classy now boasts of over 10,000 members in southern California.

About BeGreen Carbon Offsets and Green Mountain Energy Company

BeGreen^sm http://www.begreen/Carbon Offsets (http://www.begreennow.com/), the latest solution-based product from Green Mountain Energy Company, provides businesses and consumers the opportunity to offset their carbon impact and reduce their http://www.begreennow.com/">carbon footprint through the purchase of renewable energy, forest sequestration, and other project-based offsets.  Green Mountain Energy Company – the nation’s leading provider of cleaner energy and carbon offset solutions – began in 1997 with a simple idea: "to change the way power is made." The company offers consumers and businesses the choice of cleaner electricity products using renewable sources such as wind, water and solar that help reduce the amount of carbon dioxide (CO₂) emitted into the air. For more information please visit http://www.greenmountain.com/.