Wind area auctions will move the country toward more renewable energy options

To the Editor:

In response to your November 25th article about upcoming wind area auctions, it’s great to see the country moving toward more renewable energy options.

With people in New York still buried in their homes and families in California struggling to get water, we in Massachusetts can only dread what the winter will bring to us. As someone who’s struggled through the heat waves and the cold snaps of recent years, I’m acutely aware of how much these freak weather events are increasing. I worry about what lies in store for us in the coming months or years if we continue along this path.

That’s why it’s imperative that we take action now. Clean energy is achievable, and we can implement changes today that will resonate for years to come, protecting future generations. All it takes is a few simple alterations now to have dramatic and life-saving effects.

Environment Massachusetts’ new report on wind energy shows just how much of an impact wind power would have in our state. Wind power will have substantial benefits for Massachusetts, especially as we are primed to begin using offshore wind for our energy needs. We could lead the country in wind energy and be an example of what our nation can achieve.

This December, Congress will vote on whether or not to renew critical wind-energy tax credits, so we need to call them and let them know how important it is that they do so. If you don’t want to spend your future winters digging your way out of your car, call your Congressperson and tell them to take action!

Julia Persinger
Environment Massachusetts

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Wind area auctions will move the country toward more renewable energy options

Report shows 1 in 3 Texans choose renewable energy options

A Texas Empowerment report released by Choose Energy shows that about one in three Texans choose renewably sourced energy options.

That’s 100 percent more than any other state, Levente McCrary, spokeswoman for Choose Energy, said in an email.

“While Texans may have bigger grids and bills when it comes to energy, they also have a lot of choice in green energy plans — which may be partly why they gravitate to green energy plans more often than any other state,” she said.

This month, Choose Energy, an online energy marketplace that helps customers in deregulated areas, such as Tyler, choose the best energy option, released the Texas Empowerment report, found atwww.chooseenergy.com/blog/state-charts/texas .

The report showed that Texas residents are experiencing a significant increase in energy bills with the summer heat. However, electricity rates are expected to decrease until August by about $2 to $3 a month for the average household.

Choose Energy selects the leading energy suppliers who offer the best options for utilities. Consumers can choose the right plan for them — a fixed plan, a short-term option, cost savings, or a greener choice. Choose Energy shows customers what percentage of their power will be renewable with each provider’s offer.

Given recent pricing volatility, Texas residents are now increasingly opting for long term, 36-month plans, thereby locking in a fixed rate for three years, the report states.

Green plans tend to cost about half a penny more per kilowatt hour, equating to $75 more a year per household for renewable energy over coal-generated power, according to the Texas Empowerment report.

“We hear a lot about being more green, whether it’s related to recycling or choosing greener resources, and it’s something that Texans have embraced whole-heartedly,” Kerry Cooper, chief executive officer of Choose Energy, said in a statement. “What we allow customers to do with Choose Energy is really examine what a green choice would mean for them and compare their options. It’s empowering to take control and make an educated decision on who should be your energy provider and still benefit the environment.”

For customers who are intimidated by a green energy plan, Cooper suggests a number of other ways to make a home more green until the customer is ready and able to use a renewable energy source:

- Conduct an energy audit of the home.

- Replace regular light bulbs with energy-saving ones, such as LED, CFL or eco-incandescent bulbs.

- Turn off lights and other devices when they aren’t needed, and be aware of appliances that are actually on standby mode rather than off.

- Wash laundry in cold water instead of hot.

- Invest in energy-efficient appliances.

- Use a solar charger for electronic devices.

- When building a home, invest in energy-efficient design and construction.

Choose Energy is available in 11 states, with additional states coming online in 2014. For more, visit ChooseEnergy.com or call 1-855-419-8758.

Report shows 1 in 3 Texans choose renewable energy options