Green Groove
Unite
Green Wind Energy Gets Our Heads Spinning
I just recently found a great group, based out of the UK, called Ecotricity. Ecotricity is a group that builds wind turbines, and helps to produce other alternative energy in the United Kingdom, and then provides that energy straight to consumers. For every pound (roughly about $1.50 in American dollars) that their customers spend, Ecotricity spends another pound creating greener energy. Their tag line, "turning electricity bills into windmills," expresses this 1 to 1 exchange.
They offer a number of plans for consumers, to match the local competitor's "brown" electricity. In some cases, switching can cost a little more if you're on a discounted plan with someone else, but it is worth the extra cost to go green.
The other fresh change with Ecotricity is that they don't operate like other energy companies. When you call their free number, you actually reach a human being. In a time where you can't even call to order a pizza without talking to a computer first, that's a big deal. Their sign-up plan is easy, either 5 minutes online or by calling them directly.
"The other thing that not many people realise is that we can now all choose who supplies our electricity, and therefore how it's made, so wherever you live in the country you can actually choose to have your home or business supplied by clean energy. The funny thing is switching takes about five minutes but it's the biggest single step you can take to reduce your emissions and protect the environment," says Dale Vince OBE, Ecotricity founder, on the Ecotricity website.
So, if you're living in the UK and are still on "brown" energy and want to make the change, give Ecotricity a call. If you're not in the UK, that doesn't mean you're out of luck. Research your area and see if there are wind farms nearby and who runs them. There are also wind turbines that you can install yourself in your backyard. The American Wind Energy Association has a great list of places where you can find a small wind turbine for your own use. The energy is available to everyone, you just need to ask for it.