With nearly 43,000 megawatts of generating capacity, NextEra Energy, Inc. is among the leading green energy companies. In 2009, their revenue totaled over $15 billion dollars and they employ more than 15,000 people in 27 states and Canada.
NextEra Energy, Inc. has two main subsidiaries. Florida Power and Light Company is one of the biggest rate-regulated electric companies in the nation. They service about 4.5 million customers in Florida. The other subsidiary, NextEra Energy Resources is the biggest generator of green energy from solar and wind sources in North America.
According to the industry averages, if every utility in the country was as clean in its generation of electricity as NextEra Energy, CO2 emissions from these sources would decrease by about 49% and the total carbon emissions for the United States would be reduced by 20 percent. That is the same as removing about 80% of cars from the American roadways.
NextEra Energy Resources leads North America in generation of electricity from wind. They own over 7,500 net megawatts of wind capacity with locations in 17 states and Canada. NextEra Energy Resources has invested over $10 billion into wind generation. They also operate one of the largest solar energy plants in the world. The SEGS or Solar Electric Generating Systems in the Mojave Desert of California is the size of 1,650 football fields. This system includes 936,000 mirrors and during its peak production it generates sufficient power to supply energy to 230,000 households. NextEra Energy Resources also has 81 units on several river basins in central and southern Maine which makes them a leading producer of hydroelectric energy in the Northeast.
NextEra Energy also continues to lead the way in promoting action to address CO2 emissions and climate change. Chairman and CEO Lew Hay has spoken multiple times at conferences where he addressed the fact that the longer we continue down the same path the harder it will be to change our course and fix the environmental problems we are currently causing (paraphrased).
NextEra Energy is not only committed to the wellbeing of the environment but they also strive to promote safety and health in their employees and in the community. Their award-winning FPL-WELL program provides information and motivation that helps employees continue to be as healthy as possible. They also support local education and programs such as United Way.