CDW Converts Two Wisconsin Enterprise Hosting Centers to 100 Percent Renewable Energy

MADISON, Wis. – July 10, 2008 – CDW Corporation, a leading provider of technology products and services to business, government and education, has contracted with Madison Gas and Electric (MGE) to purchase almost 12 million kilowatt-hours per year of renewable energy as part of a corporate initiative to reduce its carbon footprint.

The company’s two Madison, Wisconsin-based Enterprise Hosting Centers, totaling 10,500 square feet will now be powered by 100 percent renewable energy. CDW’s Enterprise Hosting Centers deliver award winning co-location and Web site hosting capabilities. This renewable energy purchase makes CDW the largest private purchaser from MGE in the Green Power Tomorrow (GPT) program. The GPT program offers businesses and residential customers the option to purchase more of their energy from renewable sources.

“Our Wisconsin hosting centers customers will now benefit from a decrease in CO2 emissions that will allow them to continue to build their businesses confidently knowing that their data is secure and powered by green energy,” said Paul Shain, senior vice president, CDW. “It is our hope that more companies in our region and across the nation will also take action and move toward using renewable energy sources.”

“This effort will provide an annual carbon offset of 12,649 tons – equal to the CO2 emission from electricity use by about 1,500 average Madison residential homes,” said Phil LaForge, director, Hosting and Managed Services.

With this purchase, CDW is supporting green power generated from wind farms in the Midwest region – two in Wisconsin and one in Iowa – with a small amount from solar electric systems in the Madison area. This is different than the previous form of electricity used in the hosting centers, which was a mix of purchased power and electricity produced from, gas/oil, coal and a small percentage of state mandated renewable power.

“Madison Gas and Electric recognizes our responsibility to promote renewable energy. That is why we offer the Green Power Tomorrow program,” said Cathy Mackin, sales services director, Madison Gas and Electric. “CDW’s decision to use 100 percent renewable energy is significant. Their 100 percent purchase is the largest in our program – a program that reduces CO2 emissions by more than 150,000 tons each year.”

CDW is also a participant in the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s Green Power Partnership program that encourages organizations to buy green power as a way of reducing the environmental impact associated with purchased electricity use.

About CDW
CDW is a leading provider of technology solutions for business, government and education. Ranked No. 39 on Forbes’ list of America’s Largest Private Companies, CDW features dedicated account managers who help customers choose the right technology products and services to meet their needs. The company’s technology specialists offer expertise in designing customized solutions, while its advanced technology engineers can assist customers with the implementation and long-term management of those solutions. Areas of focus include notebooks, desktops, printers, servers and storage, unified communications, security, wireless, power and cooling, networking, software licensing and mobility solutions.

CDW was founded in 1984 and as of December 31, 2007 employed approximately 6,300 coworkers. In 2007, the company generated sales of $8.1 billion. For more information, visit CDW.com.