Georgia Power selling green energy.

[Rosemary2205]

http://www.georgiapower.com/green/home.asp

Green Energy is a Natural Choice
Now it's easier than ever to support environmentally friendly energy generation from sources like the sun, wind, water, and biomass. Just sign up for Georgia Power's Green Energy® program and help bring more renewable power to Georgia.

Make a difference with Green Energy
By participating in Georgia Power's Green Energy program, you continue to get the reliable energy you need while doing something positive about the environment. Your Green Energy choice will:


Potentially reduce the environmental impact of energy production
Conserve our natural resources
Support domestic energy self-reliance
Green Energy is regulated by the Georgia Public Service Commission.


How it works

Green Energy is available to residential customers in 100-kilowatt-hour blocks for a 12-month period (about 10 percent of an average monthly residential electricity bill).

Each block adds $4.50 (plus tax) to your monthly electricity bill.
Commercial and industrial customers can also participate with a minimum block purchase based on the amount of energy used as defined in the Green Energy Tariff.

Each block purchased brings more Green Energy into our state. As demand for renewable energy increases, the higher expense of green energy generation may be offset by improved technology and production efficiency. Customers who participate in the program cannot be guaranteed that they will receive the actual kilowatts produced by a green energy generation method, but you can rest assured the green energy you are supporting is being produced and delivered to Georgia Power customers.

[Squatch]

1. How does this compare, in consumer cost, to a "non-green" energy bill?

[Rosemary2205]

2. Your bill will go up

I pay on even billing now at $42 a month and it will go up to $68 if I buy all green energy.

[Squatch]

3. So, people are going to sign up out of their own goodness?

Until green conveyances, power sources, food, etc carry the same consumer costs as non-green things, then these measures will always be relegated to the fringes of trendiness.

[Rosemary2205]

5. Oh I disagree.

people will pay more if they think they are getting something out of it. Seatbelts, airbags, On Star etc add to the cost of cars but people buy it for a reason. People are gladly paying huge gobs of money for Plasma TV's and digital service to get what they perceive is better quality. Clearly people in large numbers are paying more for the compact florescent bulbs because even the big box stores in my neighborhood are stocking them in large numbers.

IMHO as Americans begin to understand the overall benefits of using green power more and more people will grow a conscience and pay a little more so their kids will inherit an inhabitable earth. -- Granted some will come along kicking and screaming but I think enough will voluntarily move in this direction - over time - to make a real difference.

[necso]

4. 4.5 cents per kwh is rather steep,

but you have to consider what is being offset/replaced.

And according to this, that would primarily be "cheap" coal.

Generally, one can reduce one's electrical consumption substantially, and this is a good way to offset higher prices paid for green power.