Waking Up to No Wind Energy

It was a punch to the gut — the email on January 31, 2014, from Clean Currents, my wind energy provider, stating that “effective immediately,” we would be “returned to utility service,” which in my case means coal — as it does throughout much of the Mid-Atlantic.

We’ve purchased wind energy for our home for the past six years. Not only does my business rely on this wind energy to supplement the solar energy collected by my trucks’ panels, but I have grown to feel that it is my right to buy renewable energy. Thinking that it might be taken away made me feel, weirdly, violated.

Just two weeks earlier, toxic chemicals used at coal plants spilled into West Virginia’s Elk River, poisoning the water supply of hundreds of thousands — the latest in a string of coal/oil/natural gas-related calamities. I didn’t want to go back to fossil fuels.

EElogoAs it turned out, I didn’t have to. Within hours, I knew I had other wind options, and in a matter of days, I had signed up with Chevy Chase-based Ethical Electric. (Check out their rates, but here are other local options: Washington Gas Energy Services [highly reputable affiliate of Washington Gas] and Groundswell [offers collective purchase of clean energy].)

WGESLogoAnd don’t think buying renewables is risky business that could leave you powerless. Wind customers still receive their electricity through PEPCO, BGE, or whatever local utility is in the area — and like with the Clean Currents situation, you’d be covered. The problem was that Clean Currents, a relatively small company with less-than-cavernous pockets, couldn’t cover the hugely inflated prices during last winter’s polar vortex. Likewise, smaller coal-fired power companies went offline.

GroundswellLogoThe beauty of all this: We have a choice. Deregulation throughout the Mid-Atlantic and elsewhere has opened up the energy market to competitive — and renewable — suppliers.

Choose wisely, friends.