Yes, You Can Buy Green Electricity Right Now.

We tell you how and where.

Did you know that you may be able to elect to purchase some or even all of your electricity from renewable sources? Suppliers in 44 states now offer green power to their residential customers. You may not be aware of this option that several regional electricity providers have made available. It’s a voluntary choice for consumers who wish to support less-polluting energy alternatives and contribute to a cleaner and healthier environment. These choices also reduce our dependence on fossil fuel such as oil or coal and produce little or no “greenhouse gases” that contribute to global warming.

Examples of these new greener choices include wind power, solar panels, and biomass fuels, as well as the more well-known hydroelectric power.

Will this save you money on your electric bill? Unfortunately no, it costs a bit more right now, although hopefully that will change someday. There is an additional cost per kWH in addition to your regular bill and it reflects the additional costs to produce renewable energy and deliver it to your home. You’ll need to look at your bill to see how many kilowatt hours you typically use, and then decide how many you wish to purchase as renewable.

For example, Delaware Electric Cooperative charges an additional $.20 per kWH, and there are minimums you need to commit to when you sign up. PECO WIND energy is available for purchase in monthly blocks of 100 kilowatt-hours for $2.54 per block. For a typical home, one block is equal to about 15 percent of your average monthly electricity usage. The wind energy you support with this choice is delivered directly into the Pennsylvania power grid and the more people who sign up, the more wind energy that can be purchased. It's easy to be green this way and you'll know you're contributing to the growth of sustainable energy choices, in your state as well as the nation.

Have you ever wondered exactly where the electricity you currently use comes from? Take a look at the EPA’s “Power Profiler” to see sources and percentages, according to your zipcode: http://www.epa.gov/cleanenergy/energy-and-you/how-clean.html. It’s a real eye-opener.

Want to learn more about exactly which options for green electricity are available in your region and how you can participate? Take a look at this great resource produced by the EPA Green Power Partnership at http://www.epa.gov/greenpower/pubs/gplocator.htm and start researching your state.