header image
FAQ

ABOUT US

 


OUR ENERGY

 


OUR FACILITIES

 



ABOUT US

What states does Green Mountain Energy Company serve?
We currently provide clean energy products to residential customers in Florida, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, and Texas. We offer cleaner energy products to commercial customers in Texas.

We offer carbon offset products to residential and commercial customers in any state.

back to top >>


Where is Green Mountain based?
Green Mountain’s headquarters is in Austin, Texas. The company serves customers across the United States.

back to top >>


What has Green Mountain Energy Company done to help the environment?
Our commitment to the environment doesn't stop with offering electricity that's dramatically cleaner than typical power. In fact, we like to think we have a lot in common with our customers. That's why we want Green Mountain Energy Company to operate our business in an environmentally responsible way. To accomplish this, we are:

  • Operating according to the principles of the Coalition of Environmentally Responsible Economies (CERES). We invite you to review our latest CERES report


  • Offsetting 100% of our corporate 2 emissions through our participation in the EPA Climate Leaders Program.


  • Working with American Forests to preserve forest ecosystems by planting more than 100,000 trees on behalf of our customers. We also avoid products derived from old-growth forests.


  • Using environmentally preferable printing methods that include soy-based inks on paper produced with post-consumer fiber and non-toxic whitening products.


  • Offering Power Perks Products and complementary gifts that meet our environmental/social standard.


back to top >>


OUR ENERGY

What is cleaner electricity?
Electricity from generation sources that produce little to no air pollution (carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides) and/or radioactive waste, especially when compared to traditional sources of electric generation (i.e., coal and nuclear). For example, Green Mountain Energy electricity is dramatically cleaner than typical system power.

back to top >>


Will I need to rewire my home?
Buying our cleaner electricity requires NO rewiring or special equipment. You will still be connected to the same regional power grid that provides your power now.

back to top >>


What is renewable energy?
Renewable energy comes from sources that are infinite like the sun, wind and tides, or that replenish themselves naturally including hydro, geothermal and biomass.

back to top >>


Does buying Green Mountain Energy electricity make a difference to the environment?
First, we measure our progress one customer at a time. When a household selects Green Mountain Energy electricity, they are reducing the amount of pollution that their household would otherwise emit.

Second, when customers choose Green Mountain Energy Company, they are supporting the development of new wind and solar facilities. In fact, Green Mountain Energy Company customers have been responsible for the development of 13 new renewable facilities (4 wind; 9 solar). Making electricity causes billions of tons of CO2 to be released every year. In 2005, we estimate these facilities prevented the emission of 21,000 tons of CO2.

back to top >>


How do you calculate the air pollution that customers prevent?
Even though a lot of the calculations you might read on this web site are based on the "typical" or "average" customer in a state, it is pretty simple to calculate for yourself. To calculate the CO2 emissions you avoid, we simply multiply your monthly electric usage (in kWh) times the percentage of new renewable generation in your product, times the CO2 emission rate of typical system power in your area. We can then figure the big picture from the number of customers we have in each service area.

back to top >>


Why does the degree to which your electricity is less polluting differ from one state to another?
The amount less-polluting compares air emissions from generating our electricity with the pollution from generating typical system power. Generation sources of Green Mountain Energy electricity vary state by state — largely because the amount of wind, sun, and other natural resources vary by geography. Similarly, sources used to generate typical system power also change from region to region. (i.e., how much coal and other fossil fuel is used). One thing is certain for every state in which we do business — Green Mountain Energy electricity is always dramatically cleaner than the respective typical system power.

back to top >>



OUR FACILITIES

Have new renewable energy generation facilities been developed as result of purchases by Green Mountain Energy electricity customers?
Our customers have helped create demand for the construction of 13 wind and solar facilities across the nation representing over 180,000 KW of new renewable energy. Since the first facility came online in 1999, these facilities are responsible for avoiding over 261,000 metric tons of CO2, a greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming.

Does Green Mountain Energy Company own and operate any wind farms or other renewable generation facilities?
No, Green Mountain is not an owner or operator of renewable generation facilities. Green Mountain Energy wind and solar facilities are owned and operated by various third parties and branded Green Mountain facilities through licensing agreements because the demand from our customers played a significant role in getting these projects built. Since the first facility came online in 1999, these facilities have been responsible for avoiding over 261,000 metric tons of CO2, a greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming.

back to top >>