NY's Green Power Program
Green Power is electricity generated from renewable energy sources that are environmentally friendly such as solar, wind, biomass, and hydropower. New York State and the Public Service Commission have made a committment to promote the use of Green Power and foster the development of renewable energy generation resources.
Electricity comes from a variety of sources such as natural gas, oil, coal, nuclear, hydropower, biomass, wind, solar, and solid waste. Green Power is electricity generated from renewableenergy sources such as:
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Solar:
Solar energy systems convert sunlight directly into electricity. |
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Biomass:
Organic wastes such as wood, other plant materials and landfill gases are used to generate electricity. |
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Wind:
Modern wind turbines use large blades to catch the wind, spin turbines, and generate electricity. |
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Hydropower:
Small installations on rivers and streams use running or falling water to drive turbines that generate electricity. |
| The adjacent pie chart shows the mix of energy sources that was used to generate New York's electricity in 2003. Buying Green Power will help to increase the percentage of electricity that is produced using cleaner energy sources. |
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For only a few pennies more a day, you can choose Green Power and make a world of difference for generations to come. Green Power:
- Produces fewer environmental impacts than fossil fuel energy.
- Helps to diversify the fuel supply, increasing the reliability of the New York State electric system and contributing to more stable energy prices.
- Reduces use of imported fossil fuels, keeping dollars spent on energy in the State's economy.
- Creates jobs and helps the economy by spurring investments in environmentally-friendly facilities.
- Creates healthier air quality and helps to reduce respiratory illness.
If just 10% of New York's households choose Green Power for their electricity supply, it would prevent nearly 3 billion pounds of carbon dioxide, 10 million pounds of sulfur dioxide, and nearly 4 million pounds of nitrogen oxides from getting into our air each year. Green Power helps us all breathe a little easier.
Your electric service is made up of two parts, supply and delivery. In New York's competitive electric market, you can now shop for your electric supply. You can support cleaner, sustainable energy solutions by selecting Green Power for some or all of your supply. No matter what electric supply you choose, your utility is still responsible for delivering your electricity safely and reliably, and will provide you with customer service and respond to emergencies.
The Green Power you buy is supplied to the power grid that delivers the electricity to all customers in your region. Your Green Power purchase supports the development of more environmentally-friendly electricity generation. You are helping to create a cleaner, brighter New York for future generations. You will continue to receive the safe, reliable power you've come to depend on.
1. CallGo to the NYS Power to Choose web site and search for providers in your area. You can locate offers based on zip code, service type, and service class
2. CompareCompare the Green Power programs.
3. ChooseChoose the Green Energy Service Company program that is right for you.
Energy conservation, energy efficiency and renewable energy are critical elements in New York's economic, security and energy policies.
New York State is committed to ensuring that we all have access to reliable electricity by helping consumers use and choose energy wisely. Recently, the state launched two initiatives - one designed to educate the public about the environmental impacts of energy production, and one to encourage the development of Green Power programs.
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You can see the latest environmental disclosure label which shows you the fuel mix for each LSE and related air emissions for each LSE compared to the average current statewide emissions by accessing the http://www.dps.ny.gov Web site and clicking on the Electric Section, More Electric, and then Environmental Disclosure Label Program.
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The New York State Public Service Commission is supporting development of renewable energy service programs in utility service territories across the state. These programs are spurring the development of new sources of renewable energy and the sale of Green Power to New York consumers.
As a result, Green Power service providers are now offering a variety of renewable energy service options. Most New York consumers now have the opportunity to choose Green Power.
Many suppliers in New York offer Green Power options. For a list of suppliers, go to the NYS Power to Choose web site and locate offers based on zip code, service type, and service class.
| Central Hudson Gas and Electric |
1-800-527-2714 |
www.centralhudson.com |
| Consolidated Edison |
1-800-752-6633 |
www.coned.com |
| National Grid |
1-800-642-4272 (upstate)
1-718-643-4050 (Metro)
1-800-930-5003 (Long Island) |
www.nationalgrid.com |
| New York State Electric and Gas |
1-800-35-NYSEG (356-9734) |
www.nyseg.com |
| Orange and Rockland |
1-877-434-4100 |
www.oru.com |
| PSEG Long Island |
1-800-490-0025 |
www.psegliny.com/ |
| Rochester Gas and Electric |
1-877-RGE-WIND (743-9463) |
www.rge.com |
Note: The following links take you off the NYS Public Service Commission's AskPSC.com website.
New York State Energy Research and Development Authority at:
www.nyserda.ny.gov
Green Power Network (service of U.S. Department of Energy): www.eere.energy.gov/greenpower
U.S. DOE's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Web site: http://energy.gov/eere/office-energy-efficiency-renewable-energy
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: www.epa.gov/greenpower
| Q: |
What is green power? |
| A: |
Green power is electricity generated from renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, biomass and small or low-impact hydropower. |
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| Q: |
What is biomass? |
| A: |
Biomass is organic waste such as wood, plant material and landfill gases used to make electricity. |
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| Q: |
How can I buy green power? |
| A: |
You call green power service providers, call your utility, check your utility's web site, or www.AskPSC.com to see which companies provide the service. Each utility service territory may have different green power service providers. |
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| Q: |
Will renewable power be delivered directly to my home/business? |
| A: |
No. We all draw power from the electric grid that connects all New Yorkers. When you buy green power you help to support cleaner sources of power that produce less environmental impact. |
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| Q: |
Is green power as reliable as the electricity I get now? |
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| A: |
Yes. There is no difference. The power grid always has electricity in it which comes from a variety of sources. |
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| Q: |
What happens if my power goes out? |
| A: |
Call your local utility that delivers your power. |
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| Q: |
How can I find out about solar power? |
| A: |
For information on solar power or any other type of renewable energy, you can use the internet. New York State Energy Research and Development Authority's (NYSERDA) Web site, www.PowerNaturally.org has solar information. Also use www.AskPSC.com Web site for links to other sites that have information on renewable energy sources. |
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| Q: |
What percentage of power is now generated from renewable sources in New York? |
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| A: |
At present, approximately 22.5 % of our power is generated from hydro resources, 2.4% from wind and approximately 1% from renewable biomass, renewable biogas and solar combined. This includes power imported from adjacent control areas such as Quebec. You can see the latest environmental disclosure label which shows you the fuel mix and some air emissions from the current statewide fuel mix by accessing the http://www.dps.ny.gov Web site and clicking on the electricity section. |
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| Q: |
Why is it priced differently from one provider to another? |
| A: |
Different companies price according to their own circumstances taking into account procurement costs, business costs, subsidies, taxes and utility service territory. |
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| Q: |
Why would I want to pay more for electricity? |
| A: |
Some New Yorkers want the choice of which type of fuel they want to support. Buying green power is a way to support the production of electricity generation that has fewer environmental impacts. |
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| Q: |
Are there residential customers and businesses choosing green power now? |
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Yes, thousands of New Yorkers have chosen to buy some or all of their power as green power. |
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| Q: |
How does green power help the environment? |
| A: |
Using fossil fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas to produce electricity adds pollutants to the air that are a contributing cause of acid rain and smog and global climate change. Replacing fossil fuels with green power will help clean our air. |
