My electricity supplier says I can pay extra and switch to Green Energy. How are they going to separate Green Energy from any other energy to supply me since it all comes down the same wires? How would I know what sort of energy I was getting. Sounds like a lot of BS to me.
2007-03-27 02:29:34 · 7 answers · asked by Traveller 4 in Environment
BS indeed. The "Green Energy" that you would buy is being produced anyway. It would just be virtually redistributed from those on the grid that aren't paying for green energy.
In theory, power companies would use the extra income to build new green energy sources, but in reality, it is all just a virtual redistribution of energy to make energy-concious people feel good about themselves, all while letting monopolistic energy conglomerates make more money.
2007-03-27 02:52:55 · answer #1 · answered by chiral 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's kind of like buying a specific gallon of water out of the tower. You're not directly getting the green energy. However, there are several suppliers that generate electric for your provider. If you choose the green energy, they will send a portion of your money to the green company instead of one of the others.
That being said, everything "green" is not necessarily better for the ecology. For example, it does much more harm to the environment to make a Prius than a Hummer. The Prius uses less gasoline, but it has created a huge "carbon footprint" just being made. And, the Prius only lasts for 100,000 miles, so another one must be made. A Hummer lasts 300,000 miles.
Research before you buy.
.
2007-03-27 09:36:38 · answer #2 · answered by FozzieBear 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Of course it all comes down the same power line and you can't separate green and fossil electricity. However if you buy green then the money goes to the green generating companies who can invest in more renewables and so make more electricity in a green way.
2007-03-27 09:48:05 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
They +say+ that some of the generated energy is produced by water power, solar, wind and that they proportion the cost to you if you choose 'green energy'.
It sounds a lot like 'carbon credits' to me. A scam and a money grab (once known as profiteering..which is illegal while 'green energy' and 'carbon credit' is not illegal but just as lucrative)
2007-03-27 09:34:57 · answer #4 · answered by credo quia est absurdum 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well, my supplier is the largest buyer of green energy in the US, Austin Energy. They signed a ten year contract with the producer and at first it cost more, but now that prices have risen, it is cheaper to buy green.
Unfortunately, they do not have enough to sign up more customers. In a year or two they will renegotiate a larger contract for more service. You see, they do in fact partition off their 100% green customers.
If you doubt your electricity supplier, why don't you call them and ask them? Are you looking for us to call you a cynical fool or just a background chorus to agree with you?
2007-03-27 09:41:42 · answer #5 · answered by justin_at_shr 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
There are valid green projects out there. Some are small individual projects like http://mygreenproject.blogspot.com/
2007-03-28 01:50:46 · answer #6 · answered by getnightlife 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
if it smells like bs
2007-03-27 09:32:25 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋