Isra-Mart srl:Esurance Partners with NativeEnergy to Build Laurelbrook Farm Compost

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Esurance Partners with NativeEnergy to Build Laurelbrook Farm Compost Project
Insurer Continues to Find New Ways to Offset Carbon Emissions

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – November 2, 2010 – Esurance, the direct-to-consumer personal auto insurance company, recently announced the purchase of offsets from the new Laurelbrook Farm Compost Project, a project which is estimated to prevent more than 15,000 tons of greenhouse gas pollution over the next ten years – an amount equivalent to the CO₂ emissions from 31,646 barrels of oil consumed.[1]

Since 2009, Esurance has teamed with NativeEnergy to offset policyholder carbon emissions and electricity use in each of their 14 office locations. Now, as a supporter of the Laurelbrook Farm Project, Esurance is helping provide vital funding for the family-owned farm in East Canaan, Connecticut. Through NativeEnergy’s innovative HelpBuild™ model, Esurance is able to purchase a share of the verified emissions reductions that the project will produce over a ten-year period.

“Nothing gives us more satisfaction than working with excellent companies to address their climate impact by bringing new projects into being. Working together with one of the top names in car insurance and a local family farm, we’re making a difference,” said Jeff Bernicke, president of NativeEnergy.

Founded in 1948 and managed by the Jacquier family for three generations, Laurelbrook Dairy Farm began composting manure on a limited basis three years ago. Now, with the help of NativeEnergy and supporting companies like Esurance, Laurelbrook has installed a more efficient and reliable separation technology that will avoid the methane pollution typically resulting from the storage of dairy manure.

Robert Jacquier, who oversees the farm, said: “We believe the composting operation is the best way to take full advantage of the nutrients in the waste stream while significantly reducing the environmental threat posed by manure decomposition and nutrient run-off. It’s a difficult time to operate a dairy farm, but we take pride in taking the best care of our animals and being good stewards of the land.”

With its offset purchase, Esurance continues to address greenhouse gas emissions from their offices’ electricity use and corporate travel, while simultaneously helping to further the technology available to family farms.

“For over a decade Esurance has focused on reducing its environmental impact through operational initiatives such as our ‘paperless experience’ for consumers, and engaging with local communities by supporting urban reforestation programs,” said Esurance President and CEO, Gary Tolman. “By working with NativeEnergy on the Laurelbrook Farm project, we are able to reduce pollution from greenhouse gases, offset our carbon footprint, and help promote sustainable and ethical farming practices.”