Green Power Community Challenge FAQs
Will my investment really make a difference?
Will renewable energy resources be delivered directly to my home or business?
Do other utilities offer similar programs?
What if my business is in a leased facility and I don’t pay my electric bills directly?
Will my investment really make a difference?
Yes! By increasing the amount of power generated from renewable resources you:
· Reduce our dependence on fossil fuels
· Help to build or buy a wider range of renewable energy sources in our region
· Raise community awareness about the benefits of green power so that it becomes readily available and at a lower cost.
Will renewable energy resources be delivered directly to my home or business?
The electricity generated from the renewable resources that you support is put into the Northwest power-supply grid along with electricity from all of our other resources. Much like water or natural gas, it isn't possible to differentiate the sources at the point of delivery. By choosing Green Power, you are supporting the environment and helping to increase the proportion of renewable energy that is available to the entire system.
How can I reduce the cost of green power?
An easy way of reducing additional costs associated with buying green power is to reduce the amount of energy you use. For example, if you installed compact fluorescent light bulbs in all of your most frequently used light fixtures, you would reduce the amount of electricity you use and thus the amount of green power you need to buy (see PSE's Energy Efficiency section). That would lower your cost for green power. In fact, if you conserve enough energy at the same time you buy green power, your overall electric bill might not increase at all. You would benefit and so would the environment!
Where does the Green Power Program money go?
PSE uses the 100% of the funds collected from the Green Power Program to purchase green power, educate the public and market renewable energy, and administer the program. PSE is required to report annually on our Green Power Program's progress to the Washington State Utilities and Transportation Committee (WUTC) and Washington State Department of Community Trade and Economic Development, who in turn present their findings from throughout the state to the Washington State Legislature.
Do other utilities offer similar programs?
Yes, all across the
What if my business is in a leased facility and I don’t pay my electric bills directly?
1. What you’ll first need to do is to talk to the building owner or facilities manager to do some quick calculations:
2. Total electrical usage divided by total square footage of the building to get an average per sq. ft.
3. Multiply that average per sq. ft. by the total number of sq. ft. that your office leases for an average energy usage.
4. With that information call Heather Mulligan at 425-456-2916 and tell her you are in a leased facility. She can give you a range of $/month to invest and estimate the % green power that equates to, as well as set up a direct monthly invoice to your company for the green power purchase.
