Oct. 24, 2008 - What downturn? General Electric is reporting another stellar year for its Ecomagination suite of green products and services, with sales likely to jump 21% in 2008. Total revenues are expected to cross $17 billion by year's end.

GE says rising revenue comes from the success of some of their 70 Ecomagination-certified projects which include wind turbines, organic light-emitting diodes, desalination projects, energy- and water-efficient home appliances, even a fleet fuel-efficiency consulting service.

Company execs also say the secret behind the success is savvy marketing messages that appeal to consumers on both a practical and emotional level in this economic climate.

While profits rose, emissions fell for the company which also reports an 8% cut from its own operations, from about 7.7 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent, since 2004. Energy cost savings to GE have so far been $100 million.

GE plans to use its own technology to help continue to cut total greenhouse gas emissions by 1%, and water consumption by 20% by 2012.

"There is a green lining among the current economic storm clouds and GE customers and investors are benefiting," says Jeff Immelt, chief executive. "Cleaner innovation and technology resonate in the marketplace, while we slash our own energy and water costs and emissions, further strengthening GE's competitive position and the advantage GE offers to its customers."

GE expects it will invest $1.4 billion in related research and development in 2008.

With such heavy investment in green technologies, it s no wonder GE execs have been spending a lot of time lobbying for the support of such technologies on Capitol Hill. Vice chairman John Rice recently attended congressional panel meeting, voicing his company's support for the market pricing of carbon emissions and government tax credits to encourage new investments in emerging low-carbon technologies. The company has also joined forces with Google on a green tech lobbying effort aimed at the "development of specific policy proposals, alliance building, advocacy, information programs, and public relations."