Wind Power FAQs
At Home
Q: How does signing up for wind power reduce my environmental impact?
A: The energy used in our homes is generated from a number of sources, of which the vast majority is coal and natural gas. Electricity produced from renewable energy sources (such as wind and solar) has positive environmental benefits as it does not generate greenhouse gases, air pollution or water pollution. Renewable energy providers (such as wind farms) sell the electricity they generate to utilities and sell Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) to the consumer public. These RECs represent the environmental benefits of the renewable energy that is produced. For example, each megawatt of electricity created by a wind farm that is sold by a provider can only be sold to the consumer public one time. When those megawatts are bought up, more turbines need to be built, so only with our purchases will the demand for new wind continue. Therefore, our collective efforts to add more renewable energy to the power grid decrease the need for new coal power plants.
Q: When I sign up for wind power, how does it affect the electricity coming into my building?
A: The energy you purchase through wind power is fed into the electricity grid and becomes a part of the mix of electricity flowing to your building. It is impossible to confirm the actual percentage of energy derived from the wind turbines, however all wind energy added to the grid displaces the equivalent amount of coal or natural gas-derived electricity that would previously have been transmitted to your building.
Q: How do I choose between providers?
A: All providers are Green-e certified, which means you can be assured you paying for viable wind energy. There are differences in price and business plans - contact providers for details.
Q: Are there other ways to reduce my carbon footprint?
A: The beClimateSmart.com website has its own carbon calculator. Start there, and then check the "What Can I Do?" section of the beClimateSmart.com website for resources. The most important step is to make all the energy efficiency improvements you can afford for your home or business. Buying wind power helps further reduce or offset the remaining energy you need to use.
At Work
Q: How will offsetting all or part of my electricity use with wind power help my business?
A: Buying wind power demonstrates your company's environmental leadership and can strengthen your relationship with your customers, partners, employees, shareholders, and the Boulder community. If you have set or plan to set greenhouse gas reduction targets, purchasing wind power is a tangible, effective way to reduce your business' carbon footprint.
Q: How much will it cost per month?
A: You can purchase wind in blocks of 100 kWh (kilowatt hours) or by percentage of your total electricity use. Signing up for Xcel Energy's WindSource program exempts you from paying the city of Boulder's Climate Action Plan tax. Click here for price details.
Q: How does signing up for wind power reduce my environmental impact?
A: The energy used in our businesses is generated from a number of sources, of which the vast majority is coal and natural gas. Electricity produced from renewable energy sources (such as wind and solar) has positive environmental benefits as it does not generate greenhouse gases, air pollution or water pollution. Renewable energy providers (such as wind farms) sell the electricity they generate to utilities and sell Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) to the consumer public. These RECs represent the environmental benefits of the renewable energy that is produced. For example, each megawatt of electricity created by a wind farm that is sold by a provider can only be sold to the consumer public one time. When those megawatts are bought up, more turbines need to be built, so only with our purchases will the demand for new wind continue. Therefore, our collective efforts to add more renewable energy to the power grid decrease the need for new coal power plants.
Q: When I sign up for wind power, how does it affect the electricity coming into my building?
A: The energy you purchase through wind power is fed into the electricity grid and becomes a part of the mix of electricity flowing to your building. It is impossible to confirm the actual percentage of energy derived from the wind turbines, however all wind energy added to the grid displaces the equivalent amount of coal or natural gas-derived electricity that would previously have been transmitted to your building.