Purchasing Green Electricity

We can't get our energy use down to zero, but we can take steps to make sure the energy we use generates as little carbon pollution as possible. Since energy comes to us by way of fuel sources, there are a few options to consider.

Many states now allow electricity consumers, for instance, to choose a "green power" supplier, usually a utility that generates all or a portion of its electricity using wind, water, biomass, or solar power.

The availability and cost premium of such options vary, but often institutional purchasers like campuses have an edge and can help drive a market for local green electricity purchase options. Many campuses throughout the Northeast have already led the way in green electricity purchases (see Case Studies section below), often pushed by student-led petition drives and awareness campaigns.

If no truly clean source of electricity is available, look for electricity generated using natural gas, which is much more efficient and releases less carbon dioxide and equivalents into the atmosphere than coal or oil.

Resources

For information on availability of green electricity where you are, check with your state’s public utilities commission (PUC), or try the U.S. DOE’s Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Program’s site, or Green-E (an independent, non-governmental green power certification agency).
Clean Air-Cool Planet (Feb 17, 2005)

Section 2.2 of the Climate Campaign’s “Campus Climate Action Packet” gives instructions for gives instructions for campus clean energy purchases.
Clean Air-Cool Planet (Feb 17, 2005)

“Workbook for a Green Energy Campus” offers suggestions for driving campus green power purchases.
Clean Air-Cool Planet (Feb 17, 2005)

COA uses 100% renewable energy purchased as offsets through NativeEnergy.  More at their website.
Clean Air-Cool Planet (Jul 21, 2006)

Harvard's Kennedy School of Government and School of Public Health
Clean Air-Cool Planet (Feb 17, 2005)