Commitment to Protecting the Environment
PMI's core business is financial services, an industry whose products and services do not directly affect the environment. In spite of this, PMI consistently implements energy conservation and recycling initiatives at its headquarters and across its worldwide offices.
PMI is headquartered in California, a state with stringent environmental policies that reflect the complex energy issues of an economy estimated to be the seventh largest in the world. One significant energy challenge in California is an electric utility grid that can become overloaded during periods of peak demand. Recognizing this, when PMI relocated its headquarters within California in 2002, a decision was made to utilize an alternative energy source to generate electricity for the headquarters building.
At the new PMI headquarters, a 9,000-square-foot solar power system was installed. During peak demand daytime hours, PMI's clean power solar system generates enough power for 100 homes. It also prolongs the lifespan of the roof, insulates the building, and significantly reduces the company's costs for heating and air conditioning services. It is estimated that over the next 30 years, PMI's solar system will reduce carbon dioxide emissions by more than 1,000 tons—the equivalent of planting 300 acres of trees—and, over the next 25 years, these solar panels are expected to save PMI $1.3 million dollars in avoided electricity purchases.
PMI's commitment to protecting the environment extends beyond the solar power system. For example, when the headquarters building was constructed, PMI made it a priority to upgrade the energy efficiency of the facility in order to decrease its environmental impact. Architects who designed the building were instructed to exceed by 10 percent the energy efficiency standards mandated by California law in all public areas and tenant floors. PMI also used a high efficiency film around its exterior windows, reducing overall heating and cooling costs and energy consumption from depletable sources.
Using the same health-conscious technology that is now required in U.S. government office buildings, PMI recently modified the air conditioning system at its corporate headquarters to fight the spread of infectious diseases, as well as organisms that can trigger allergy and asthma symptoms. In addition to improved indoor air quality, the system's benefits include lower HVAC energy costs and reduced use of harmful chemicals and disinfectants.
Recycling is another one of PMI's worldwide commitments. The carpet at the PMI headquarters building is made of 100 percent recycled material. PMI, at its own cost and with no government mandate, purchased an expensive trash compactor to shrink waste before disposal. PMI offices around the globe collect paper, batteries, aluminum, and light bulbs for reuse. At PMI's headquarters, 1,800 – 2,000 pounds of paper are collected each week and shipped to a Georgia Pacific factory where it is used to make paper towels.
PMI practices recycling through creative re-use. For example, cell phones are collected at PMI's headquarters for the national Donate A Phone® Call To Protect® campaign. This organization distributes wireless phones to victims of domestic violence. In the hands of a victim, these phones are a lifeline enabling them to call for assistance when faced with an emergency. PMI also collects and ships eyeglasses to Lions Clubs International, contributing to the more than 37 million eyeglasses donated to the needy in developing nations since 1996.
The mortgage insurance discussed in this website is underwritten by PMI Mortgage Insurance Co. and its affiliates.
