Links - Interesting links on energy and environment
Q&A - We answer some questions on Renewable Energy Credits
- According to a poll by Deloitte (a big auditing and consulting firm) 54% of Americans say they would pay more for Alternative Energy Resources.
- At over 6.5 billion tons annually, the U.S. is the world’s largest source of CO2 emissions (World Bank Little Green Data Book). The U.S. also leads in annual CO2 emissions per person (22 tons) for countries with a population over 5,000,000 (Wikipedia).
- Industry experts predict that, with proper development, wind energy could provide 20% of this nation's energy needs (U.S. Dept of Energy Renewable Energy Laboratory). Compare this to less than 1% right now. This would mean generating about 650 Million MWh from wind annually, or more than 500 Million MWh over current projections.
This means reducing (compared with our current energy mix):
- Over 350 Million tons of CO2 emissions every year (a 5% reduction)
- Over 120 million tons of coal consumption
- Over 750 billion cubic feet of natural gas consumption
- Over 20 million barrels of oil consumption
- Sales of Green-e Energy certified renewable energy certificates increased 69% from 2005 to 2006, representing 8.8 billion kilowatt-hours (roughly equivalent to the energy consumption of 1 million homes) of renewable generation (http://green-e.org). Many people and business are already supporting wind and other renewable energy sources with their dollars – this is helping to create a sustainable market for Renewable Energy in the U.S.
- Last year, the U.S. imported 3.7 billion barrels of oil, and 3.4 trillion cubic feet of gas (Energy Information Administration). At current prices (as of October 2, 2007), this represents over $300,000,000,000 dollars sent out of the U.S., which accounts for roughly 40% of the U.S. trade deficit (based on estimated $760 billion deficit in 2006 – Bureau of Economic Analysis).
- Facts About NOx (U.S. EPA) :
- "Nitrogen oxides, or NOx, is the generic term for a group of highly reactive gases, all of which contain nitrogen and oxygen in varying amounts. Many of the nitrogen oxides are colorless and odorless. However, one common pollutant, nitrogen dioxide (NO2) along with particles in the air can often be seen as a reddish-brown layer over many urban areas.
The primary manmade sources of NOx are motor vehicles, electric utilities, and other industrial, commercial, and residential sources that burn fossil fuels. NOx can also be formed naturally, and:
- is one of the main ingredients involved in the formation of ground-level ozone, which can trigger serious respiratory problems
- reacts to form nitrate particles, acid aerosols, as well as NO2, which also cause respiratory problems
- contributes to formation of acid rain
- contributes to nutrient overload that deteriorates water quality
- contributes to atmospheric particles, that cause visibility impairment most noticeable in national parks
- reacts to form toxic chemicals
- contributes to global warming"
Facts About Soot (fine particulate matter, PM2.5, etc. – from U.S. EPA):
"'Particulate matter', also known as particle pollution or PM, is a complex mixture of extremely small particles and liquid droplets. Particle pollution is made up of a number of components, including acids (such as nitrates and sulfates), organic chemicals, metals, and soil or dust particles.
These particles can be directly emitted from sources such as forest fires, or they can form when gases emitted from power plants, industries and automobiles react in the air.
Numerous scientific studies have linked particle pollution exposure to a variety of problems, including:
- increased respiratory symptoms, such as irritation of the airways, coughing, or difficulty breathing, for example;
- decreased lung function;
- aggravated asthma;
- development of chronic bronchitis;
- irregular heartbeat;
- nonfatal heart attacks; and
- premature death in people with heart or lung disease."
Facts About Mercury Emissions (U.S. EPA):
Coal-burning power plants are the largest human-caused source of mercury emissions to the air in the United States, accounting for over 40 percent of all domestic human-caused mercury emissions.
Mercury exposure at high levels can harm the brain, heart, kidneys, lungs, and immune system of people of all ages.
It has been demonstrated that high levels of methylmercury in the bloodstream of unborn babies and young children may harm the developing nervous system, making the child less able to think and learn.
Fish and shellfish are the main sources of methylmercury exposure to humans. Fish advisories are also issued for men, women, and children of all ages when appropriate.
CO2 Emissions Facts (Annualized Emissions):
U.S. Average Per Person*: |
22 tons |
Europe (EMU) Average Per Person*: |
9 tons |
World Average Per Person*: |
4.7 tons |
Compact Fuel Efficient Car (35 mpg, 230 miles per week)**: |
3.5 tons |
Mid-Size Car (25 mpg, 230 miles per week)**: |
5 tons |
SUV/Large Car (15 mpg,230 miles per week)** : |
8 tons |
Average Home (1700 square feet)***: |
11.5 tons |
One megawatt-hour of electricity (assuming average U.S. mix)**: |
0.7 tons |
One megawatt-hour of electricity generated by wind: |
0.0 tons |
* World Bank Little Green Data Book
** Calculations and estimate of average weekly driving miles from U.S. EPA Carbon Calculator
*** Calculated from U.S. EPA Carbon Calculator, Energy Information Administration (EIA) data on energy use and households.
Energy Information Administration (EIA)
U.S. Dept of Energy Renewable Energy Laboratory - wind energy
U.S. EPA - six common urban air pollutants
U.S. EPA - mercury
Q. How do I know that I am actually buying Renewable Energy Credits when I buy through Premier?
Premier Renewable Energy products are certified by Green-e Energy, and each Renewable Energy Credit we buy on your behalf is issued by a qualified renewable energy source, as certified by Green-e Energy. The Green-e Energy Program was established by the non-profit Center for Resource Solutions to provide information and an objective standard for consumers to compare renewable energy options, and to verify that consumers get what they pay for. For more information on Green-e certification requirements, call 1-888-63-GREEN or log on to http://www.green-e.org.
As part of its Green-e Energy certification requirements, Premier is required to conduct an annual audit, using an outside auditing firm, of its compliance with the program, including documentation that Premier has purchased a quantity of Green-e Energy certified Renewable Energy Credits generated by renewable resources that is equal to or greater than the RECs purchased by customers from Premier.
Q: If REC sales go to projects that are running anyway, how do they help promote new resources?
The objective of the market for RECs is to create a market for Renewable that supplements the market for Energy, so that producers (current, future, potential) can attribute some benefit (in the form of cash) to going through the extra effort of producing Renewable Energy. This allows them to see Renewable as a product, one that – with enough demand in the marketplace – they can sell profitably. And if there’s one thing that’s been proven in a free market system like ours, it’s that producers will always respond to strong market demand for profitable products.
By creating a market for RECs, we create demand for Renewable Energy, so that producers see a strong profitable market for this good. New supplies will naturally follow (there is evidence this is happening already – there are many wind projects being planned right now throughout the country).
Q: Shouldn’t I just go to a producer and buy RECs, and ‘cut out the middleman’, so that more of my dollars go to support Renewable Energy?
Well, as 'middlemen', we believe we add a lot of value, and here’s how:
- • We make transactions work for the buyer and they seller. Wind producers can’t reach out and actually sell to tens of thousands, perhaps ultimately millions of customers. They need help – and that’s where we provide value. At the same time, consumers can’t go around researching and contacting every wind project out there – you need help, and that’s where we come in.
• We invest in education and outreach. Wind producers need help in getting the message out. They need help in getting consumers to understand what they offer and how buying and the Renewable attributes of wind-power can help their cause. Consumers need help in gaining access to information and resources that help them make decisions. We are making this investment – taking time to craft messages, building websites, reaching out through advertising, committing resources to talking with and educating customers.
Q: If RECs provide only a small portion of renewable project revenue, are they really a boost to these projects?
This is why we’re in the business - our goal is to make Renewable a high-volume, high-value product in its own right, a product that satisfies the need for substantial incentives to producers and the need for consumers to express their preference for Renewable and all that it represents, rather than just an occasional, low value add-on to Energy.
If you still have questions or concerns, then please Contact Us so that we can try to adress those a little better.
