 What is Green Power? Green energy is environment-friendly energy generated from clean, renewable resources. These renewables include solar, wind, geothermal, biomass and low-impact hydro. They produce far fewer pollutants than fossil fuels because there is nothing to mine, burn or dispose. While Idaho Power already generates most of its electricity from renewable hydroelectric resources, the Green Power Program provides customers with an option to support additional "green" resources. With the help of the Bonneville Environmental Foundation (BEF), Idaho Power taps into green energy supplies. BEF is an independent non-profit organization (not affiliated with the Bonneville Power Administration). The foundation is a broker to facilitate green energy transactions from Northwest resources that have been certified as Green-e compliant by the Center for Resource Solutions. Electricity purchased through the Green Power Program is brought into the Northwest power supply grid from wherever the energy is produced. The grid acts like a power “pool” that combines all sources of electric energy, including green resources. Electricity brought to your home or business is drawn from this overall supply system. While you'll see no difference in how you receive your power, as a program participant you will be supporting the environment and increasing generation of renewable energy. Go to www.idahopower.com/energycenter/greenpower for more information on their Green Energy Program. To learn more about other Green Power options visit the links listed below. www.greentagsusa.com - information about green tags, the environmental component of green energy. www.b-e-f.org - the Bonneville Environmental Foundation, a regional non-profit promoting green power. www.rnp.org - Renewables Northwest Project, an organization promoting green energy in the Northwest. www.epa.gov/greenpower - the EPA's Green Power Partnership program. Green Power Friendly Companies at The Boise Co-op: The Boise Co-op Clif Bar Silk Lundberg Alterra Coffee Roasters Rodney Strong Vineyards Domaine Carneros by Taittinger New Belgium Brewing Fetzer Cayuse Vineyards Choice Organic Teas Earth Island EcoFish Ecoprint Green Mountain Coffee Roasters Kettle Foods Mount Eden Vineyards New Leaf Paper Odwalla Ridge Vineyards St. Francis Winery Traditional Medicinals For information on Green Power Partnerships visit www.epa.gov/greenpower. Look for the Green Power labels throughout The Boise Co-op to see which companies are joining in to help improve our environment. |