Choosing Cleaner Power

by: Scott Shields

Wed Apr 19, 2006 at 08:37:42 PM EDT

Here in New Jersey, we have a program called NJ Clean Power Choice. It's really simple. For a nominal additional charge tacked on to the existing rate, energy consumers get to choose between four different suppliers of alternative energy. Three of these will purchase all of the energy you consume with a portfolio of more environmentally responsible choices, like wind, solar, hydroelectric, and even landfill gas. One of them will replace 15% of your power consumption with local wind power from the coastal Jersey-Atlantic Wind Farm. Personally, I saw the trailer for the documentary, remembered that I'd been putting off enrolling in the Clean Power Choice program since last fall, went to the website and signed up to have 100% of our electricity provided by alternative sources.

This is a program I've actually brought up to some of the other writers here at Blue Jersey, wondering how many had already signed up. To my surprise, I was among the last to have taken the step. So my initial thoughts about posting about the program here at Blue Jersey went out the window. I figured progressives here were already well aware of the program and didn't need me pestering them.

As it turned out, two Jersey-based commenters at MyDD had no idea that Clean Power Choice existed, and both signed up after reading my post. So here I am. If you don't know about NJ Clean Power Choice, think about looking into it. And if you are aware of it, I'd be interested to hear your thoughts and feelings. New Jersey is the first state in the nation to demand that the utilities offer all of its consumers a choice in how their energy is generated. This is a perfect example of why it's so important that we are, in fact, Blue Jersey.