NPR: The Search For Green Power On And Off Of The Grid

[OKIsItJustMe]

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=111665647

The Search For Green Power On And Off Of The Grid

by Elizabeth Shogren
August 7, 2009

This is the second story in a series called http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=111519254">How Green Is It? that will air throughout August on All Things Considered. The series examines some of the things Americans are doing — and buying — to help the environment and whether those steps really are as "green" as they seem.

When David Bell turned a dilapidated 1880s townhouse into an office for his architectural firm, he took the opportunity to display environmentally-friendly technologies, like a touchless faucet.

…

And when an entrepreneur offered Bell a chance to buy clean electricity for his office — and save money on power — he saw it as another chance to practice what he preaches.

…

Hundreds of utilities around the country — and a growing number of companies — are offering customers a chance to buy green power. These programs are especially popular with businesses, which use them to promote their environmental consciousness. Packaging for all kinds of products now includes claims that producers use renewable power. But where does the power come from?

Tracing Electricity

Bell didn't know, but Gary Skulnik, who sells electricity to Bell, did.

…