Kathryn Brown – Senior Vice President, Public Policy Development and International Government Relations and Corporate Responsibility Officer, Verizon

Meet one of PINK’s Top 10 Women in Sustainability, 2011!

By Rachel Pomerance

The former chief of staff of the Federal Communications Commission, Kathryn Brown works with policy makers to use broadband technology to advance energy efficiency, carbon reduction and energy independence.

At the same time, Brown brings the elements of social responsibility, like sustainability, into the daily work of Verizon’s nearly 200,000 employees. Finally, Verizon intends to “build and expand on the use of our innovative technology to help our customers, employees, vendors and communities reduce their carbon footprint and become more energy efficient,” Brown says.

Best practices and programs with the biggest impact?

• Smart Grids: Verizon is partnering with more than 20 utilities to deploy smart wireless meters in customer homes. In the new, smart-grid world, Verizon’s broadband network will give customers information on energy usage so they can make more energy efficient decisions.

• Network Equipment Upgrades: Verizon requires that all equipment purchased for its networks be at least 20 percent more efficient than the equipment it replaces. “While this might not sound sexy, it will drive real change in our industry,” Brown says. “This was a first for the telecommunications industry, but it brings everyone, including our competitors, with us. In conjunction with other network projects, we saved more than 90 million kilowatt hours of energy in 2009.”

• Virtual Meetings: Verizon has invested more than $80 billion since 2004 in broadband networks and estimates that its virtual meetings, including high-definition video conferencing, have saved a bundle in emissions. The company estimates it cut 8 million pounds of carbon dioxide in 2009, the equivalent of removing 700 passenger cars from the road for one year.

What’s next?

• Verizon’s newest generation of wireless innovation, known as LTE, will be up to 10 times faster than today’s wireless networks. Testing has begun in Boston and Seattle and a nationwide rollout is slated for 2011.

• The company plans to earn LEED certification from the U.S. Green Building Council for 50 Verizon retail stores. Currently, two Verizon Wireless Evolution Stores are certified with LEED Gold status.

• In 2010, Verizon added 1,600 alternative energy vehicles to its fleet and plans to increase that number in 2011.

Rachel Pomerance, a writer and public relations professional, specializes in sustainable transportation at Pomerance & Associates. The all-female firm, which is owned by her mother, Barbara Pomerance, manages the communications for the Washington Auto Show®.