Among other things, green power offers a utility and its customers the opportunity to minimize risks that are presented by the status-quo power resources. For example, a utility that relies upon natural gas for all its generation puts itself and its customers in a position that is vulnerable to economic uncertainty and issues of availability. A responsible power portfolio minimizes financial exposure, maximizes reliability, uses a diverse mix to reduce overall risk and considers long and short-term costs. A well-considered green program is capable of fulfilling each of these needs both for the utility and those it serves. Today, the precise definition of green power is under discussion as environmental and electric industry interests struggle to reconcile the advantages and disadvantages presented by the various types of electric generation.
Green power provides just such an opportunity.
For example, by using 100 kWh of wind-generated energy each month per month, instead of power generated with fossil fuels, over a year's time a household can provide the environment with the same benefits provided by planting half an acre of trees. Because of the oil crises of the 70s, the nuclear controversy that followed close on its heels, and the highly visible hydroelectric projects that dot our region, Northwesterners make the connections between the power they use and the resources used to generate it. Consumers seem to understand the heavy impact electricity generation can have on the climate and our health. As a result of their understanding, consumers are asking for energy options that are easier on the environment. Some electric providers have heard these requests and responded to them.