Wisconsin-based, flexible packaging company Coating Excellence International has signed an agreement to purchase renewable electrical energy from Wisconsin Public Service's (WPS) NatureWise program. The agreement represents the largest quantity of renewable carbon free energy to be purchased in the WPS service territory.

"This is another example of Coating Excellence's commitment to not only producing the highest-quality packaging, but also achieving that goal in an environment-friendly way," said Michael Nowak, president of CEI. "We're proud to be able to both keep manufacturing in America and keep our country green at the same time."

Utilizing renewable energy significantly lowers CEI's carbon footprint by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, which are a by-product of electric power generation. CEI is the first flexible packaging company to join the NatureWise program. A leader in the Green movement, CEI was also awarded the "Wisconsin Friend of the Environment" award in 2007.

According to Coating Excellence, the agreement represents the largest quantity of NatureWise, renewable carbon free energy to be purchased in the WPS service territory. The NatureWise program is offered to customers in 24 counties throughout northeastern and central Wisconsin and Menominee, Michigan.

There are currently 40 commercial/industrial customers enrolled in the program, including college universities and the Green Bay Packers football team. This renewable and carbon-free energy offered through the NatureWise program is composed of 50 percent wind and 50 percent biogas from local landfills and dairy farm waste.