While enjoying an organic mocha over the weekend, the cup told me that Mercury Coffee is a PSE Green Power Partner, receiving 100% of its power from green energy sources.
That's a load of crap - the power grid does not support energy segmentation or dedicated delivery from specific sources to specific customers. So I looked it up.
When you give PSE money to call yourself a Green Power Partner, PSE uses the money to buy renewable energy certificates (RECs) from green energy providers on your behalf (with some lost to advertising and administerion of the program). These providers receive the certificates from the state as a proof that they produced energy from green sources. Certificates are only given to facilities produced after 01/01/1997 so that providers are not rewarded for energy created from processes that existed before the REC system existed. The energy produced by these facilities is sold separately, just as it is from any power plant.
What does this mean?
From the provider's point of view, these certificates basically increase the price of electricity produced by green power plants, incentivizing them to create the plants. The price of these certificates is based on supply and demand - the more people who want to buy them, the more they cost, and the more the providers are rewarded for their energy. When you buy an REC, you are giving money directly to the green energy providers as a thank you for producing clean energy.
According to Dominion energy, you are "buying the right to claim the environmental benefits that were created by adding that renewable energy to the grid." So, you're not directly helping the environment, you are purchasing the right to claim you are helping the environment, and participating in a system that gives people the incentive to produce cleaner energy.
What happens to the RECs after you give money to PSE to buy them? PSE will have a stockpile of RECs that they own. If they can sell the RECs at a later date, your purchase is useless. In some states, RECs expire, which alleviates the problems. Although not explicitly stated, it sounds like if the REC is registered with Green-e (82% of the market), only the first sales is authorized.
I started looking into this assuming that it was a crock. But it seems legitimate. I might just have to celebrate with a cup of coffee.
Friday, December 21, 2012
Saturday, December 8, 2012
Water and Ice
I took this photo a few months back after an afternoon of wake boarding.
I took it for a few reasons:
So I grew up without even considering the possibility of drinking on the water. My mind was opened when my American coworkers considered it a necessity. I gave in. I brought Smirnoff Ice (from Canada; the malt version here is inferior). And I relaxed.
Ontarians, you are missing out. There is something so relaxing about leaving work early, being warmed by the sun, sitting back, riding above the waves, and drinking a Smirnoff Ice. I can see why people get hooked on boats. And in that moment of tranquility with the wind blowing past my face, the sun setting, and the music pumping, its easy to realize how great life is. I took a break from this feeling to take the photo and got straight back to it.
Related to my last post, life is great when you live in the moment.
Also related to my last post, my wife is funny.
I gave her one week to finish what was left of my mom's famous raspberry jam. Two days pass and the jar remains in the fridge. Four days pass and it's still there. Eight days pass and it's still there. Excited that I had another opportunity to enjoy the jam but still responsible enough to warn my wife, I informed her that I was about to finish the jam if she would not. She replied that it's already gone.
She continued. She finished it a week earlier, but didn't want to crush my dreams. If she put it on the counter or in the sink, I'd see it and be disappointed that it's gone. But if she left it in the fridge, I'd increasingly get my hopes up all week and then be surprised when I try to eat it. Then she laughed for a few minutes at her trickery. Well played, dear. Well played.
I took it for a few reasons:
- To fill the family foot album
- To remind myself how great water and alcohol mix
- So this post would have a photo
So I grew up without even considering the possibility of drinking on the water. My mind was opened when my American coworkers considered it a necessity. I gave in. I brought Smirnoff Ice (from Canada; the malt version here is inferior). And I relaxed.
Ontarians, you are missing out. There is something so relaxing about leaving work early, being warmed by the sun, sitting back, riding above the waves, and drinking a Smirnoff Ice. I can see why people get hooked on boats. And in that moment of tranquility with the wind blowing past my face, the sun setting, and the music pumping, its easy to realize how great life is. I took a break from this feeling to take the photo and got straight back to it.
Related to my last post, life is great when you live in the moment.
Also related to my last post, my wife is funny.
I gave her one week to finish what was left of my mom's famous raspberry jam. Two days pass and the jar remains in the fridge. Four days pass and it's still there. Eight days pass and it's still there. Excited that I had another opportunity to enjoy the jam but still responsible enough to warn my wife, I informed her that I was about to finish the jam if she would not. She replied that it's already gone.
She continued. She finished it a week earlier, but didn't want to crush my dreams. If she put it on the counter or in the sink, I'd see it and be disappointed that it's gone. But if she left it in the fridge, I'd increasingly get my hopes up all week and then be surprised when I try to eat it. Then she laughed for a few minutes at her trickery. Well played, dear. Well played.
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