Issues: Oil & Energy

SAVE $$ / CUT POLLUTION Be More Energy Efficient Switching to renewable energy is one way to slash air pollution. Another is to use less of it. (You'll slash your electric bill, too.) RESOURCES  NRDC guide  Alliance to Save Energy  EPA's EnergyStar site  More links . . . Get Money Back! Some states offer rebates and other incentives for buying energy-efficient appliances or investing in renewable energy technology, such as fuel cells, solar panels and wind turbines. Many also offer free inspections and technical advice on making your home more energy efficient. To learn about programs in your area, find your state in the list below. If your state's not on our list, try the Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy. FIND REBATES/INCENTIVES: Select a state Arizona California Colorado District of Columbia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Missouri Montana Nebraska New Hampshire New Jersey New York North Dakota Ohio Oregon Pennsylvania South Carolina South Dakota Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin

A whopping 68 percent of the electricity used in the United States comes from burning polluting fossil fuels. The rest is created by nuclear power plants and hydropower, with only a tiny fraction coming from clean, renewable resources such as wind, the sun, underground steam and biomass (organic matter that's converted to energy).

But things are changing. Several states now require power companies to produce a percentage of electricity from renewable sources, and others are considering similar requirements.

Renewable energy can save consumers money. Because renewable "fuels" such as sun and wind are free, they reduce the price of wholesale electricity, which lowers electricity bills.

For now, however, buying less-polluting electricity can be a challenge because options differ from state to state. On this page we identify three ways to support renewable energy and also offer a guide to rebates and incentives that may be available to you.

1. Choosing a Clean Power Supplier

Traditionally, electric utility companies have operated as monopolies within particular states. But since 1997, a number of states have opened their electricity markets to competition, giving outside companies, including suppliers that draw all or a significant portion of their power from renewable resources, the right to compete for customers.

To find out when and if you can choose your energy supplier, check the Energy Information Administration's website. Green-e, a green power certification program run by the nonprofit Center for Resource Solutions, identifies suppliers in these states that draw at least half their power from wind, solar energy and other clean sources.

 Green-e's Pick Your Power
 Electric Power Industry Restructuring Fact Sheet

2. Green Pricing

In some states, instead of choosing a specific electricity supplier, consumers can support renewable power by paying a premium on their electric bills. This practice is called green pricing. In addition to it's Green-e certification, the Center for Resource Solutions runs a green pricing accreditation program to set standards for green pricing and ensure that utility companies are delivering on their promises to invest in renewable resources.

 Green Pricing Accreditation Initiative

3. Green Tags and Wind Certificates

Even if neither of the options above is available in your area, you can still support renewable energy. A number of energy suppliers sell carbon offsets, which represent a specific amount of clean power added to the nation's energy grid in place of electricity from fossil fuels. Several reliable groups are developing certification programs to ensure the environmental quality of carbon offests. Visit our guide to choosing carbon offsets for more information.

 Green-e Climate Protocol for Renewable Energy
 California Climate Action Registry
 Northeastern Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative

last revised 5.15.08