San Diego Activewear Co. Prana Gets Energy Award

Vista, Calif.–based activewear company Prana received a Green Power Leadership award from the Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy for incorporating several energy-conservation programs within its operations.

The company, which specializes in performance yoga and climbing apparel as well as casualwear, was recognized for its investments in wind-generated power. The private company so far has prevented 41 million pounds of greenhouse gases from entering the atmosphere. Greenhouse emissions have been known to contribute to global warming.

The company purchased renewable-energy certificates on behalf of 250 of its retail accounts. The certificates are placed in stores and explain that the retailers’ power has been offset by wind-generated power.

Prana makes payments to San Francisco–based 3 Phases Energy Services, which then provides renewable energy via windpower generators into the main power grid and thus reduces the release of “dirty” electricity.

Prana has also been a proponent of green manufacturing and has gradually been introducing more organic cotton into its factories. The company eventually plans to have a total organic operation.

The 1 1/2 -year-old company is run by Beaver Theodosakis. Prana means “breath” in Sanskrit. For more information, visit www.prana.com.—Robert McAllister