Responding to green power programs lack of energy
Even if more Americans seek to reduce their carbon footprint, relatively few of them have changed suppliers of electricity generated by wind, water and sun.
"Green Power" programs allow consumers to purchase renewable energy, most often at a premium, without having to go through the far greater expense to erect a windmill or install a solar panel. The programs are widely available, but there are estimates that fewer than 1 percent of residential consumers in the country receive their electricity from "green energy" suppliers. Call it a green energy disconnect. People involved in the alternative energy industry say the Americans are interested in reducing the quantity of greenhouse gases which they are responsible? Witness the popularity of compact fluorescent light bulbs. But they say many consumers are not aware of programs designed to reduce their dependence on fossil fuels. Or how they work. Or even if they work. "They do not think wind and solar energy can provide lighting at night, keep the heat in winter and keep the air conditioning in the summer," said Brian F. Keane, president of Power Smart, a step - for-profit marketing clean energy group. "It evokes all the worst caricatures of the environmental movement ... They must wear hemp, they must buy organic, they must live in a cold, dark house. " The green power programs allow consumers to buy wind, hydro, solar and biomass energy without disconnection of the electricity grid. In States with the deregulation of utilities, consumers often can shop directly for suppliers of renewable electricity. However, these utilities through programs that allow customers to buy a portion of their power suppliers green. The "Green" program offered by National Grid is typical. The usefulness of the Upstate New York, customers can choose among four renewable suppliers who offer a mix of wind and small hydroelectric plants that costs 1 to 2.5 cents more per kilowatt-hour. Based on average residential electricity in New York, which translates roughly $ 6 to $ 15 in additional costs per month. Electricity is made even more son maintained by National Grid, and utility bills to the consumer. But National Grid guarantees the power of a clean energy suppliers on behalf of subscribers. There is no new equipment and no visit by a crew to be able to get green energy running. About 13000 National Grid 1.4 million New York residential customers participate in Green? A low rate of registration on an equal footing with the state and national figures. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory estimates that last year there were approximately 700000 customers nationally? Virtually all of them residential? The purchase of green power, either by competitive markets and public services in 2006. If there are 122.5 million residential customers nationally, not all of them have access to green power programs. A better indicator could be the participation rate of 1.8 per cent. Industry analysts say higher prices may deter consumers from switching. But supporters argue that major problems are perception and marketing. John Holtz, director of operations of Green Mountain Energy, notes that when people flick a light, they do not think chimneys of power plants. "Purchasing power is such a low interest rate with consumers category, and confusion," said Holtz. Keane said some people still equate green energy having to install a solar panel in their backyard. Others are not sure how to shop for the programme. What word did you do a search on Google? Renewable? Green? Alternative? Yet, Holtz said Green Mountain has been successful in working with utilities such as national network and the customer is more and more. Similarly, the number of customers switching over has been increasing steadily since at least 2000, according to NREL. NREL senior energy analyst Lori Bird said not all public services market their green programs, which can increase the turnout. For example, municipal utilities in Palo Alto, California, is a strong nation participation of about 20 per cent of its PaloAltoGreen program. PaloAltoGreen Program Manager Brian Ward said the rich, Palo Alto educated population is more likely to spend a few dollars per month for wind power or solar? "There are many Prius drivers here." But he also said that market heavily by e-mail, direct mail and bill inserts. New utilities are sometimes asked if they prefer "green" or "brown" power, he said. Keane Smart Power said consumers need to see green energy work so they can lay their misconceptions. His group is particularly optimistic about the programs in which local governments to include green energy, as Hartford, Conn., who buys a fifth of its power from renewable sources. He said that programmes show that renewables are a viable alternative, not something the margin. "The American people are primed. They are ready to take these messages," said Keane. "We just need to get these messages across." |
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