Some interesting channel news today. Electronics distributor Ingram Micro wants to take the mystery out of green IT gear for resellers with a new service that adopts the Green Electronics Council's EPEAT rankings. The company's new product database will now carry any given device's EPEAT rating (Silver or Gold) plus addition info that sheds light on a product's eco-credentials.

From the looks of it, we have one huge IT buyer to thank: the U.S. Government. Here's a press release snippet:

Ingram Micro Inc., the world's largest technology distributor has launched a service to help resellers easily identify "green" electronic products. EPEAT (Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool) managed by the nonprofit Green Electronics Council, is an environmental rating system that evaluates desktop computers, notebooks and monitors based on 51 environmental performance criteria.

Ingram Micro North America's product database now includes EPEAT ratings information -- rankings of Bronze, Silver or Gold -- along with other product data to enable resellers to easily identify environmentally preferable computer products.

Commented Bob Laclede, vice president & general manager for government sales at Ingram Micro, "Federal government agencies are requiring EPEAT registered products to ensure their electronics purchases are compliant. By having these designations in our product database, Ingram Micro is providing the green information needed for our resellers to include on bids for government contracts. It also assists others in identifying environmentally friendly products for their end users."

It's also interesting to note that more and more green IT channel stories have been bubbling lately (like here, here and here). Make of it what you will...