What I did for Earth Day

[firecat]

treehugger_rss had an Earth Day roundup post here that linked to the Union of Concerned Scientists article on Ten Steps to Reduce Your Global Warming Impact.

Step 2 was "Choose clean power" and it included a link to http://www.green-e.org/ - Green - e: Renewable Energy Certification Program. They certify a variety of organizations offering electrical power made from renewable resources. One way to buy renewable energy is via "Tradable Renewable Certificates."

Basically you buy these certificates as a way of supporting alternative energy and "offsetting" your own use of fossil-fuel generated electricity. (In some areas, you can sign up to receive power directly from alternative energy power companies, but in California? Bwahahahahaha.)

This page on Green-e provides a list of links to companies in the US selling TRCs. I bought mine from Bonneville Environmental Foundation at https://www.greentagsusa.org/ because they have a good calculator where you can figure out your energy use and they're a non-profit.

Green-e has a link to http://www.terrachoice.com/ which they say is a similar program for Canada, but it seems to be an "environmental marketing" company. I'm pretty sure treehugger_rss has reported on programs like this for Canada and other countries.

Comments

[firecat]

I think the credits notion is wonderful for all of us who want to support alternative energy but don't buy our own power or don't own our own home or don't have the time/energy to install solar panels or wind turbines on our own property.

It couldn't hurt to suggest it at a board meeting if you ever can make one. Even if the condo ends up not buying green power, maybe some of the other members would be inspired to look into credits.