Commentary

Bank of America has 55 million customers, 203,000 employees and is the largest credit card lender in the US and Europe.  The Bank has 5,700 branch offices and over 17,000 ATMs. 

The Bank is making some improvements in their environmental impact.

1. reduced paper usage by 42% per employee from 200-2006
2. switched 8 million customers from paper to electronic statements
3. employees will receive $3000 if they purchase a new hybrid automobile
4. they are building a tower in Manhattan they say will be the “world's most environmentally sound skyscraper”

The Bank has more in the works.  A green credit card will be introduced in several months.  Instead of earning cash back or travel discounts, credit card holders will earn carbon offsets.  A green mortgage feature is coming where a $1000 incentive will be offered towards the mortgage if the home being purchased is an energy-star home.

But it is a tricky process as 55 million American Bank of America customers don’t all agree on what green is.  Many will applaud the world's most environmentally sound skyscrapers, others will ask why build a skyscraper at all.  Many will applaud encouraging employees to purchase hybrid automobiles with a $3000 reimbursement, others will point out that some hybrid cars are more efficient than others.

My opinion is that on our way from dirty to clean energy, we must pass through a whole lot of gray.  So lets focus on how fast we are going and not whether the steps we are taking are perfect.