Green Mountain Power Becomes First B Corp Utility Company

COLCHESTER, Vt. — Green Mountain Power (GMP) in Colchester has been recognized as the first utility company in the world to become a certified B Corp. B Corps are companies that believe business can be a force for good and are certified by the nonprofit B Lab of Wayne, Pa., to meet rigorous standards of social and environmental performance, accountability and transparency.

Jay Coen Gilbert, a co-founder of B Lab, Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield and others from Vermont companies, joined Green Mountain Power as they accepted this distinguished certification at a celebration on Dec. 1 at their headquarters.

"This is a tremendous honor and reinforces our deep commitment to put customers first, and create positive change in the community and environment through our work as Vermont’s Energy Company of the Future. We are thrilled to be counted among so many great companies across Vermont and around the world," said Mary Powell, GMP president and CEO, in a statement. "At GMP, we know that energy can improve lives and transform communities. Energy can spur socio-economic change for residents, helping people save money and move toward more renewable and local sources."

There are presently 1,165 B Corporations in 37 countries, including now 21 in Vermont. Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield of Ben & Jerry’s pioneered the business model, "do good by doing good." As B Corp members, Ben and Jerry praised GMP for being the first utility to embrace being a force for positive change.

"We are especially pleased that an important legacy of Ben & Jerry’s was that the company made the case for a new way of doing business, including a concern for the community and the planet in day-to-day business decisions," said Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield in a statement. "That approach is now enshrined in B Corp status. Congratulations to Green Mountain Power for becoming the very first utility company in the world to take this step. We hope their commitment and their business success will inspire others."

To earn B Corp certification, GMP had to demonstrate its accomplishments and ongoing commitments in four areas: environment, employees, community and governance.

"We’re thrilled to welcome Green Mountain Power as the first electric utility provider to earn B Corp certification. Clean, affordable energy is crucial to creating a shared and durable prosperity," said Gilbert in a statement. "We are proud to count Green Mountain Power among the leading Vermont B Corps that are creating stronger communities, higher quality jobs, and a healthy environment."