How Many Carbon Emissions Did Our Customers Avoid in 2020?

Every day that we use renewable energy, we make a positive impact on the environment. By sourcing our electricity from 100% clean sources like wind and solar, Green Mountain Energy helps its customers avoid the harmful emissions of carbon dioxide that come from burning coal and fossil fuels. By using a 100% clean electricity plan in your home, you can also help mitigate the effects of climate change.

In 2020, our customers prevented 8,360,388,891 pounds of carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere. To put it another way, that’s like:

That’s a pretty great difference our customers helped make in the past year. But since most of us don't measure the carbon footprint of the average cross-country flight, let’s recalculate these numbers in ways you might be able to get your mind around. In fact, let’s take it by region.

And that's just for the year 2020. Since Green Mountain Energy started in 1997, our customers have prevented a total of more than 90.2 billion pounds of carbon dioxide from entering our atmosphere.

The best part? That number gets bigger every single day. 

Whether you’ve been with us since the beginning or you’re just starting on the path to a cleaner and greener future, we’re excited to make a difference together every single day. And if you see these numbers and want to be a part of helping for the planet, there’s no time like now to join our mission.
 

See the benefits of renewable energy >

Learn about renewable energy sources >

See how consumer choice helps us bring renewable energy to more communities >

^{* Driving statistic based on a home using 2,000 kWh per month and an annual car mileage of 15,000 miles.
Cross-country flight statistic based on the average pounds of carbon dioxide (CO₂) generated per passenger mile in a commercial airplane traveling a distance of 2,470 miles from Los Angeles, CA, to New York, NY.
Tree statistic based on the average pounds of CO₂ stored by a moderate growth hardwood tree planted in an urban environment over a 60-year lifetime.
Plastic bottle recycling statistic based on an average home usage of 2,000 kWh per month and the average carbon footprint of a 16.9 oz PET plastic bottle as determined by the American Chemistry Council.
House light statistic based on an average annual 867 kWh per month consumption per U.S. household.
Coffee statistic based on the average annual usage of coffee makers and espresso machines as rated by ENERGY STAR.
Cowboy hat statistic based on the average volume of a 10-gallon Stetson cowboy hat and the gaseous density of CO₂.
Taxi statistic based on the rated fuel economy of a New York City taxi, the average distance of a single cab ride, and the average miles driven per 12-hour shift by an NYC taxi driver.
Cheesesteak statistic based on the wattage of an electric-range frying pan and the average cooking time of an authentic Philly Cheesesteak sandwich.
Millennium Park statistic based on the gaseous density of CO₂ and the total acreage of Millennium Park.}