Daily Tip: Buy Green Power
Did you know you can choose where your power comes from? More than 600 utility companies in 36 states offer their customers the option of green power. That means you can support renewable energy sources such as wind and solar instead of conventional coal fired or nuclear power plants just by paying your monthly electricity bill.
How it works. When you sign up to a green power program, you are supporting your utility company in purchasing power generated from renewable sources, such as wind, solar or low-impact hydropower sources. Other renewable sources include methane or captured landfill gas, geothermal, and biomass.
Due to existing transmission infrastructure, the electricity coming over the lines directly into your home is not guaranteed to be power generated from these renewable sources. However, the more people that sign up for green power options, the more green power the utility company will have to purchase.
What you get. The details of each program are different. Many offer renewable power options at one to two cents more per kilowatt hour, and all offer incentives that make it beneficial or attractive for the consumer. GO’s Maria Surma Manka wrote about Xcel Energy’s Windsource program in Minnesota, and GO’s Philip Proefrock discussed his green power options southeast Michigan. In New York, I’ve signed up for Consolidated Edison’s Solutions program, which includes an annual rebate, no sales tax, and the option of a fixed monthly rate (so I pay the same amount every month for my bill, no matter what my actual usage is). Of course you’ll also get the satisfaction knowing that your green power purchase is helping to further the availability of renewable energy sources.
Check with your electricity provider or the U.S. Department of Energy website to find out if your local utility offers a green power program. Before you sign up, learn more about the details of the program, and find out where the renewable energy sources come from.
The Best Green Power Programs
Buy Renewable Energy for Yourself
Real Renewable Energy vs. Renewable Energy Credits
The Who’s Who of Green Power Purchasers
Tags: coal, Daily Tips, electricity, Green Power, Home and Garden, nuclear, Renewable Power, solar, utility, wind
May 10th, 2008 at 8:42 pm
oner or later, probably sooner,the power companies will have the privilege to dump excess power into the millions of charging electric car batteries overnight , when the sun shines or when the wind blows, or even when industrial demands drop. This should save everyone money and balance out the grid if done properly. Are you awake electric companies?