Frequently asked questions

1. What do I get when I choose wind power?

2. Where does my electricity come from?

3. Why is conventional electricity generation harmful?

4. Why is wind power more expensive?

5. Don't wind turbines kill a lot of birds?

6. Is there enough wind power potential for it to be a realistic source of electricity?

7. Does choosing wind power affect my utility company bill?

8. Can I choosing wind power if I rent instead of own? What if I don't pay an electric bill?

9. Is this really just a donation?

10. How do I know I will get what I paid for?

11. How do I sign up for wind power?

12. What is American Wind?

13. What are carbon offsets and how do they relate to purchasing wind power?

14. What if I have other questions?

1. What do I get when I choose wind power?
   The satisfaction of reducing your environmental footprint today by supporting the developing of wind power.

2. Where does my electricity come from?
   Most electricity consumed in the United States comes from burning coal and gas. The actual sources for the electricity that powers your home or business depend upon the power plants located in your region of the country. Nationally, 98% of our electricity is produced through fossil fuels and non-renewable forms of energy: coal, natural gas, large hydro and nuclear. Less than 2% comes from renewable sources like wind, solar, geothermal, small hydro and biomass.

3. Why is conventional electricity generation harmful?
   According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) electricity production is the largest industrial air polluter in our nation. Emissions from fossil fuel power plants are responsible for one-third of our nation's nitrogen oxide emissions -- the leading cause of smog, one-third of carbon dioxide emissions -- the leading cause of global warming, and two-thirds of sulfur dioxide emissions -- the leading cause of acid rain. The burning of coal and other fossil fuels emits harmful toxins into the air that cause many respiratory diseases and other ailments.
   
   
4. Why is wind power more expensive?
   The "fuel" is free, but there is still a lot of investment to be made in building wind farm capacity across the US. That makes the current price for wind a bit more expensive than continuing to burn fossil fuels in plants that were built and paid for long ago. Our investment in wind power ensures a cheap, clean, inexhaustible source of energy now and for future generations.
   
   
5. Don't wind turbines kill a lot of birds?
   Not often. The Audubon society estimates that 25,000 birds were killed by wind turbines last year, as compared to over 800 million birds killed by collisions with other man-made items like windows, wind shields, buildings and power lines. More birds are killed each year by cats than by wind turbines.
   
   
6. Is there enough wind power potential for it to be a realistic source of electricity?
   Yes. We have enough wind energy potential in North Dakota, Kansas and Texas alone to produce enough electricity for the entire United States.
   
7. Does choosing wind power affect my utility company bill?
   Nothing changes with your local utility when you buy wind power -- you will continue to receive your electricity and a separate electricity bill from them. The added amount you pay for cleaner, better energy goes directly to the wind farm and ensures that you are offsetting the impacts of the electricity you use from the grid by replacing it to the grid with clean, sustainable wind energy.
   
   
8. Can I choose wind power if I rent instead of own? What if I don't pay an electric bill?
   Yes, you can purchase wind power even if you rent. Even if you don't pay your electricity bill, you're still using electricity. Because you are choosing to take responsibility for your own electricity use, you can sign up for wind power individually for your house, apartment or business independent of your landlord or roommates.
   
9. Is this really just a donation?
   No. You are buying the guarente that the electricty you consume is replaced with renewably generated electricity. Better energy, just like organic foods, costs a bit more.
   
   
10. How do I know I will get what I paid for?
    Renewable Choice'­s wind power product, "American Wind" is Green-e certified, which verifies that each kilowatt-hour (kWh) purchased will be produced through a 100% new wind farm. For more information about Green-e, visit www.green-e.org
    
    • Green-e certification ensures that: Renewable Energy Certificate purchases support new renewable energy generation.
    • Renewable Choice Energy meets stringent environmental and consumer protection standards.
    • Renewable Choice Energy is audited annually to ensure that customers receive promised benefits.
      
      
11. How do I sign up for wind power?
    You can sign up right here on the website through our online ordering system, or you can call us toll-free 1-877-810-8670. We are available by phone 9 am to 5:30 p.m. Mountain Time, Monday through Friday. We're here to help you make the best choice for your home or business.
    
    
12. What is American Wind?
    American Wind is the brand name of Renewable Choice's wind power product. American Wind is a blend of Renewable Energy Certificates from wind farms across the US. American Wind is a Green-e certified product that meets stringent environmental and consumer protection standards so that homes and businesses nationwide can choose 100% clean American Wind.
    
    
13. What are carbon offsets and how do they relate to purchasing wind power?
    A carbon offset reduces the impact of carbon dioxide emissions by supporting projects that are emission-free or reducing emissions through renewable energy, or by increasing carbon dioxide absorption. Carbon offsets are purchased by individuals, businesses and governments and the most popular offset actions are reforestation, renewable energy, and conservation projects.
    
    Purchasing Renewable Energy Credits from Renewable Choice is a certifiable way to insure that you reduce the amount of greenhouse gas emissions you contribute to thereby diminishing your carbon footprint and lessening your contribution to global warming. A carbon credit represents a reduction equal to 1 metric ton or 2,205 pounds of carbon dioxide, which makes it possible to find the equivalent of renewable energy (in kilowatt hours) needed to offset the approximate amount of CO2 you use annually.
    
    For more information on this topic, visit our Renewable Energy as Carbon Offsets page.
    
    
14. What if I have other questions?
    Feel free to call us at 1-877-810-8670. We have experts standing by to answer any questions that you may have. We are available by phone 9 am to 5:30 p.m. Mountain Time, Monday through Friday. We're here to help you make the best choice for your home or business.