I received a flier in the mail today from our electricity provider, titled "Choose Green Power." Here's the gist:
"When you enroll in Pure Power, AmerenUE buys 100% renewable energy credits on your behalf. Most households can reduce the same amount of CO2 emissions in a year as they could by not driving one car for 19 months (emphasis in the original. Gee, sometimes it's just a little too obvious that I'm a former lawyer, isn't it?). And they do this for about 50 cents a day."
What are Renewable Energy Credits? According to wiseGEEK:
"While a consumer would ideally... purchase renewable energy for his or her home, this is not always possible. Renewable Energy Credits allow companies and individuals to support alternative power in areas which do not offer it directly...
Along with carbon offsets and other incentive programs, Renewable Energy Credits are part of a growing movement which acknowledges that even small changes make a big difference. By supporting green energy, consumers show that there is a demand for it, and companies can build more plants or accelerate production with the funds raised through the sale of Renewable Energy Credits. Organizations which promote programs like this hope to eventually see everyone's ecological footprint, meaning the amount of resources and space needed to support a particular lifestyle, greatly reduced."




