As Earth Day approaches, now is a good time to talk about the state of “clean” energy.
According to the Department of Energy (DOE), clean energy is growing fast, “underscored by a steady expansion of the U.S. renewable energy sector.”
What does that mean exactly, and how does it affect you? Here’s what you should know.
What is “clean” energy?
Great question. The meaning of “clean” in this context can mean different things depending on who you ask. The DOE uses “clean” mostly interchangeably with “renewable,” which is essentially energy that comes from an infinite source that can’t be depleted, unlike fossil fuels. There are seven basic kinds of energy that fall under the clean umbrella, including Wind, Water, and Geothermal.. Visit the Department of Energy’s website to read more about the various types of clean energy.
What does the clean energy revolution look like?
It may not be as exciting as robots taking over the world, but the clean energy revolution means more and more homes and vehicles operate on renewable energy. Maybe you’ve noticed the ever increasing number of affordable electric vehicles on the market or the steady uptick in public charging stations for electric vehicles? Homes benefit too—with more and more homeowners consuming energy from alternative power sources, like wind energy.
How does clean energy affect me?
Well, it depends. While clean energy alternatives are available, they are still gaining momentum. But things like electric vehicles and wind power are becoming more affordable, and more visible. As the world uses less fossil fuels, products, services, and businesses that run on clean energy will eventually become a normal part of our everyday lives.
I’m interested in reducing my reliance on fossil fuels now. How can PSO help?
Efficiency first: PSO provides energy efficiency rebates and services to reduce the amount of energy used to power our economy, so as to make the use of energy from any source easier and more cost-effective.
If you’re interested in renewables, PSO offers the WindChoice program. It’s an easy way for customers to tap into our state’s vast wind energy. You get to choose how much WindChoice you want—anywhere from one to 100 percent of your monthly usage. It’s an easy, affordable, incredibly effective way to be “clean.” Each megawatt of clean wind power generated is one less megawatt of fossil fuel energy, and another step toward a renewable future.
How will WindChoice affect my monthly bill?
Recently, PSO lowered its WindChoice rate to $.0034 per kilowatt-hour (kWh). How does that translate? If your home uses 1,200 kWhs per month, and you elect to switch 50 percent of your energy usage to wind power, you’ll only pay about $2.04 extra per month. Before choosing a percentage, you can calculate your cost using this WindChoice calculator—just log into your PSO account, enter your average monthly kWh usage and the percent of wind power you’re considering.
You sold me. How do I sign up?
To sign up or learn more about WindChoice, you can visit PSOklahoma.com/WindChoice or call (888) 776-1367.