Until recently, if you lived in the Chicago area and you wanted green energy, you had to invest in modifying your house. A typical solar installation would cost from $30,000 to $60,000. Windmills are not usually allowed within city limits due to zoning limitations. So, if you wanted green energy, you had to have deep pockets and a real commitment. In the end, you got your electricity, but your cost and effort were enormous. The typical homeowner either would not or could not do this.
Now things have changed. With the residential deregulation of electricity that recently became practical in Illinois, the average homeowner can now get green energy very easily. Moreover, now the condo owner, and apartment renter can also buy green energy. If a person pays an electric bill, they can now get green energy.
This is done through "third party energy". Once upon a time Commonwealth Edison (ComEd) both produced and delivered electricity. Now, ComEd only is responsible for delivering it. If a person has not told ComEd where to get the power, then ComEd purchases it from Exelon and charges top dollar. When a person chooses a third party energy company, like Viridian Energy, then ComEd is instructed to get the power there. The charges for a third party energy company are typically lower than what is charged for the Exelon supplied power in the Chicago area.
Viridian Energy is unique in that it supplies green energy in all its programs. Green energy is defined as electricity from solar, wind, geothermal, and hydroelectric sources. In the Midwest, wind and solar are what is generally available.
Current rates for August, 2011 are:
7.921 cents per KWH from ComEd.
5.990 cents per KWH from Viridian Energy for 20% Green (plus the 6% mandate for 26% green energy)
6.500 cents per KWH from Viridian Energy for 100% Green
Green energy is competitive with dirty brown energy. Remember electricity from coal and oil power plants is causing the destruction of the Appalachian mountains, oil spills, refinery pollution, pollution of our rivers, toxins in the air, and much more. It is much more than the release of CO2 and climate change.
What is wonderful is that for the typical person who does follow or care about the environment, the choice is still simple -- ITS CHEAPER!!! How great is that? Good for the planet AND good for your wallet.
I wish everyone would do this. If everyone just got the 20% Green option, that would have a huge impact on the energy industry in the US. Coal power plants would be shut down, and more solar and wind farms would be built. In economic terms, a demand-pull process would take hold and the energy industry would be transformed within a decade or two.
Please, be part of the solution. If you can, make the maximum impact and choose 100% green energy.
If you want to be part of the solution, click here => Get Green Energy
To sign up for it is easy. It can be done on-line in a couple of minutes.
