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What is green power?
Also known as green energy or clean energy, these general terms are used to describe electricity produced by environmentally preferred, pollution-free sources. Common sources of green power are wind, solar, geothermal, small-scale hydroelectric power, and biomass.
How are Bonneville Environmental Foundation’s Green Tags different?
Not all Green Tags are created equal. Distinctive in two respects, BEF’s Green Tags are the “Gold Standard” of green energy. First, the organization focuses on supporting new solar and wind resources, because those two technologies can make the most important contribution to a sustainable energy future. In addition, all of BEF’s Green Tag products are from 100 percent new, renewable resources in the United States, and are verified and certified by Green-e® Climate, the leading independent voluntary certification for green power products.
Second, BEF conducts an independent environmental review of every project from which it procures Green Tags. This gives customers additional assurance that the renewable energy projects they are supporting avoid adverse impacts on wildlife, are supported by their local community, and are truly environmentally preferred.
How do Green Tags differ from other carbon offset options?
Green Tags are a form of carbon offset associated specifically with substituting carbon-free green power for traditional fossil-fuel power. Carbon offsets also can be derived from other sources, such as planting trees to sequester carbon, or investing in more efficient equipment to reduce energy use. BEF supports Green Tags because Green Tags directly support the transition to a clean, renewable, and sustainable energy future.
What can consumers do?
You can offset the polluting effects of the energy used in your home, car or business by supporting the development of clean, renewable energy. More than 70 percent of power generation in the U.S. relies on burning fossil fuel. Every Green Tag purchase supports the substitution of clean, renewable power for climate-altering fossil-fuel power. Every purchase of Green Tags makes the nation’s power grids more sustainable, to everyone’s benefit.
How many Green Tags should someone purchase?
Calculate your carbon footprint online at www.GreenTagsUSA.org. You can offset your home or business energy use, as well as your travel by car or plane. You can also offset events, or give Green Tags as the perfect “green” gift.
How does my purchase of Green Tags affect my utility bill?
Green Tags are purchased directly from Bonneville Environmental Foundation. It is a separate transaction from your utility bill.
How do consumers know their Green Tags are working?
Bonneville Environmental Foundation Green Tags are independently audited by the Green-e® Climate Certification Program, the nation’s leading verifier for green power products. Green-e® Climate verifies that renewable energy is delivered to the grid as promised. For more information visit: www.green-e.org.
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