Data Center Becomes Carbon Neutral, Helps Keep Oregon Trees Growing

Oregon's forests have long been recognized for benefits such as contributing to healthy watersheds, providing wildlife habitat and offering limitless recreational opportunities. Now they are helping companies reach the goal of carbon neutrality, through the purchase of forest carbon offsets. Woodlands Carbon Company has announced an agreement with BendBroadband to secure enough carbon offsets over the next four years to achieve carbon neutrality at the Vault, BendBroadband's 'green' data center.

BendBroadband designed the Vault, a Tier III colocation data center, using multiple green initiatives, including solar power generation and passive cooling. In addition, the Vault’s remaining carbon footprint is mitigated by forest carbon offsets offered through Woodlands Carbon.

Woodlands Carbon provides private forest owners in Oregon access to the carbon offset market. Through their contract with Woodlands Carbon, landowners agree to the sustainable management of their forests and the assurance that the property will remain forested. In return, these forested acres capture and store carbon dioxide in branches, trunks and roots.

"The main goal of Woodlands Carbon is to help Oregon families keep private forest land as forests," said Mike Barnes, Program Manager with Woodlands Carbon. "Economic incentives such as payment for carbon dioxide sequestration can reduce pressures to convert woodlands to other uses."

Companies like BendBroadband can reach the goal of carbon neutrality through offset purchases. "Forest carbon offsets are a small portion of the sustainability process," according to Barnes. "The overall picture needs to include the significant energy saving efforts that BendBroadband is implementing." As part of the company's commitment to sustainability, BendBroadband is also seeking Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification and participate in Pacific Power & Light's Blue Sky Energy program.

Woodlands Carbon, located in Salem, was established in 2008 in partnership with the American Forest Foundation and is a subsidiary of the Oregon Small Woodlands Association. BendBroadband provides cable, internet, phone and now data storage services to clients throughout Central Oregon. Visit their website for more details: www.bendbroadbandvault.com