Energy
Buy Green Energy from a Utility Company - Take Some Action
You may not have to install solar panels or build a wind turbine at your
school to get your electricity from a clean, renewable energy source.
There are many programs available across the country that allow you to purchase
green power by buying it directly from your current utility company, by
switching utility companies to a renewable supplier, or by purchasing renewable
energy certificates.
Your choice in electricity
really does matter and we’ll show you some resources that will give you the
power to choose your power!
Wanna see how clean your electricity is and what other local options might be
available?
The Power Scorecard rates
the environmental impact of different electricity products offered in a number
of states. Different suppliers from each service territory are compared
against each other by a number of different criteria, including what percentage
of their mix is renewable, how much each contributes to
global warming, and even the price per kwh. Contact information for
all the companies is also provided. The only drawback is that the site doesn’t
have very many states listed right now, but will have more in the future.
The Power Profiler
by the EPA is a less detailed, but useful, resource for finding out how clean
your school’s energy is. By typing in your zip code and electricity
utility company, you can compare the fuel mix and air emissions rates of your
electricity to the national average. You can then find out the air
emissions rates of your school compared to the national average based on the
input you give from your electricity bills. It includes a function that shows
you what your total emissions are equivalent to in terms of numbers of cars or
trees planted, etc. The whole profile takes only 5 minutes to complete.
You can also view all the green power options available to you across your state
by
clicking on this map from the DOE.
The three options for purchasing green power…
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Opt for Green Pricing from Your Utility
Some electricity customers have the option to pay a higher price from their
utility, or engage in some other different price structure where the extra money
goes toward the utility purchasing a certain percentage of clean, renewable
energy. Green
Power Network's Green Pricing Information explains the option in more
detail.
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Choose a Clean, Renewable Supplier
Sometimes customers have local options to buy power from a supplier that offers
100% clean and renewable energy. The
Green Power Network's Green Marketing Page explains more.
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Purchase Renewable Energy Certificates
Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) are typically the best option for people
living in an area where they don’t have green power pricing or green power
marketing options. An REC is a credit your purchase where the money goes
toward bringing green power to your regional grid or the national grid.
More information is available on the
Green Power Network's REC Page.
How to trust that the energy you’re getting is green
Green-e is the primary
consumer protection program certifying businesses’ claims of using, producing,
or supporting
clean, renewable energy.
Green-e Energy certifies
utility pricing programs, renewable energy suppliers, and renewable energy
certificates.
Green-e Marketplace certifies businesses, organizations, and events that
purchase a recognizable amount of Green-e certified clean, renewable energy.
Green-e Climate certifies
carbon offsets. When businesses or organizations meet
Green-e’s certification, they
can display the Green-e logo on their communications materials or packaging.
Green-e also offers a
searchable database
of certified renewable energy products. The search feature examines
specific states and tells you which companies are supplying Green-e power and
what percentage is from each particular source (e.g. 8% biomass and 92% wind
power).
Besides
Green-e, there are
other consumer protection programs that verify green power products. The
Department of Energy lists them
here.
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If you have any questions or concerns about the details of a utility’s energy
mix or a supplier’s emissions levels, it’s helpful to become familiar with
your
state’s disclosure policies that require companies to release such
information.
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Go all out and become a Green Power Partner with the EPA
You can join
EPA’s Green Power
Partnership and invest in green power by either producing
on-site renewable
energy or by purchasing green power through your
utility, or by a combination of the two. With the partnership, you get
expert advice, have access to tools and resources, earn the credibility that
your green power purchase meets national standards, and get positive recognition
for your efforts. Top organizations are nationally recognized by being
listed here on EPA’s website. Once
you make an investment as a partner, all you need to do is submit a yearly
report to the EPA on the status of your green power.
The overall goal of the
Green Power
Partnership is to transform the market toward clean and renewable energy by
challenging partners to buy an affordable amount of green power relative to
their electricity use.