A whopping 68 percent of the electricity used in the United States
comes from burning polluting fossil fuels. The rest is created by
nuclear power plants and hydropower, with only a tiny fraction coming
from clean, renewable resources such as wind, the sun, underground
steam and biomass (organic matter that's converted to energy).
Can you choose to buy less-polluting electricity just as you'd
buy a less-polluting car? Yes, but figuring out how can be a challenge
because options differ from state to state. On this page we identify
three ways to support renewable energy and also offer a guide to
rebates and incentives that may be available to you.
1. Choosing a Clean Power Supplier
Traditionally, electric utility companies have operated as monopolies
within particular states. But over the past few years some states
have opened their electricity markets to competition, giving outside
companies, including suppliers that draw all or a significant portion
of their power from renewable resources, the right to compete for
customers.
Currently, only Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire,
New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas and Vermont are open
to electricity competition. Green-e, a green power certification
program run by the nonprofit Center for Resource Solutions, identifies
suppliers in these states that draw at least half their power from
wind, solar energy and other clean sources.
Even if you don't live in one of the states listed above you may
want to bookmark the Green-e site and check it periodically. Green-e
continually tracks and reports on changes in state practices.
Green-e's Pick Your Power
2. Green Pricing
In some states, instead of choosing a specific electricity supplier,
consumers can support renewable power by paying a premium on their
electric bills. This practice is called green pricing. In addition
to it's Green-e certification, the Center for Resource Solutions
runs a green pricing accreditation program to set standards for
green pricing and ensure that utility companies are delivering on
their promises to invest in renewable resources.
Green Pricing Accreditation Initiative
3. Green Tags and Wind Certificates
Even if neither of the options above is available in your area,
you can still support renewable energy. A number of electricity
suppliers sell "wind certificates" and "green tags,"
each of which represents a specific amount of clean power added
to the nation's energy grid in place of electricity from fossil
fuels. By purchasing a tag or certificate, you can help offset global
warming pollution created in generating electricity for your home
or office. Both NativeEnergy and Bonneville Power Foundation, listed
below, can help you calculate how much pollution that is. (NRDC
worked with these two groups to offset emissions related to our
February 2003 Rolling Stones concert to raise awareness about global
warming.)
Will your electricity bill be reduced by the amount you spend on
wind certificates or green tags? No, but you'll be investing in
clean air and a stable climate.
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