Today’s blog was aimed at informing you, in the simplest way possible, about Renewable Energy Certificates (REC) in all it’s splendor; where it began, about how much it cost, and how you, along with me, could purchase this amazing product.
So, the search began. I went to Google, searched for “Renewable Energy Certificate”, and millions of websites popped up. I was excited and relieved, (I remember a big sigh of relief being blown from my mouth). I went to the first site and began reading. Lots of information; nice pictures. But after navigating from the web page, I found that I left with the same amount of information that I had known before going to the site. The information was there but it was hard to understand. Now, don’t get me wrong, I am a very literate person and my grasp of understanding is just as good as yours, but after reading that site, I felt a little… malnourished. I went to different sites and, site after site, the same thing.
So, to provide us with the information needed, in its most simplest terms, I am going to call a company tomorrow and have them spell it out. Plain and simple. My main question is, when purchasing RECs, am I purchasing electricity from the company? Most sites gave me the impression that what I was actually purchasing was a donation to that company, helping them keep their current rate for providing alternative energy to their customers that are able to receive alternative energy low, therefore, for me, the consumer, helping me achieve carbon neutrality. For people, like me, who do not have alternative energy options, this is a great option and it makes me feel as though I am helping out the environment that much more (though I would love to get my bill every month, knowing that I am not using electricity from one of the most earth-killing monsters EVER!).
So, until tomorrow. Set your alarms to check the blog around 3 P.M. EST (I get up pretty early, but, you know what they say, “Never call a home or business before 11 a.m.”).
Stay Green Orlando.
P.S. Shameless plug: How I Met Your Mother in seven days!!!!!
I would like to see a continuation of the topic
Somehow i missed the point. Probably lost in translation
Anyway … nice blog to visit.
cheers, Masses
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The point of the article was to bring awareness to something for which there is such a minute amount of information…. which I did not do successfully, and for that I apologize.
A Renewable Energy Certificate (REC) is basically one way of carbon off-setting. First, you find a company (hopefully one with a Green-E Certificate (www.green-e.ORG), you tell them the amount of Kilowatt-hours (Kwhs) your home averages, either monthly or annually, and they will then offer you the best REC plan for your situation.
You are not paying for new electricity, or even another person’s electricity, but rather investing in a company that provides only alternative energy.
So, why do this? Some believe that investing in companies that offer RECs 1) provides the company with more money, that way their money could go towards expanding (hopefully in your area?).
Hopefully, this helps. If not, please write to me again with more question (I stand WHOLE-HEARTEDLY to the quote, “there is no such thing as a stupid question”).
Good day.