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Green
Power
The following information and guidelines reprinted courtesy
of Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC).
How to choose a "green" electricity supplier in
California:
1) Pick a clean power alternative, some of which are listed
below.
2) Call the provider (800 numbers given below).
3) Tell them you want to switch. You will need a copy of
your current electricity bill, your PG&E account number,
electric meter number, and your California drivers license
number or Social Security number.
Remember, if you do not make an active choice, you will
receive, by default, the stewpot of resources that make up
California's current mix: 35 percent natural gas, 24 percent
large hydro, 17 percent coal, 14 percent nuclear, and 11
percent renewables. Cleaner mixes from "green" power
suppliers are listed below.
Wind for the Future (one of three offerings) by Green
Mountain Energy Resources - www.choosewisely.com,
800-246-6730: 75 percent renewables (10 percent new wind);
25 percent nonrenewables (15 percent hydro, 10 percent
California mix). Price: 20 percent over current rate (about
$10/month). Green Mountain offers other energy packages that
are less expensive, though use less renewables.
Clean Choice 50 by PG&E Energy Services - http://www.pgees.com,
888-743-1700: 50 percent renewables (13 percent new), 50
percent nonrenewables (hydro). Price: 14 percent over
current rate (about $7/month).
Clean Choice 100 by PG&E Energy Services - http://www.pgees.com,
888-743-1700: 100 percent renewables (25 percent new).
Price: 20 percent over current rate (about $10/month).
A complete explanation of NRDC's criteria, evaluation,
and the environmentally preferred products listed above may
be found on their website, http://www.nrdc.org/howto/encagp.html,
or by calling 415-777-4083 x383.
NEW GREEN POWER WEB SITE
A new web site providing a discussion forum and
information on green power has been launched by GEO: Global
Environmental Options and CREST, the Center for Renewable
Energy and Sustainable Technology. The site's goal is to
provide consumers, policy makers, and green power providers
with discussion opportunities and information on what is
becoming an increasingly complex field - electricity
deregulation and the arrival of "green" electricity
choices.
The Green Power site, http://www.green-power.com,
contains an on-line discussion group and links to existing
on-line information, articles, and news.
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