American attitudes toward the environment regularly confound experts who study consumer behavior. Consider these statistics: More than 70 percent of Americans are recycling, but fewer than 5 percent have taken “green” actions such as driving less or reducing their utility use.
In 2012, a poll conducted by Harris Interactive struck at the heart of the issue when it concluded many Americans express a healthy skepticism about whether their actions will have a real impact in the long run. Some 29 percent of respondents believe that greening their lifestyle will not make any significant difference in the environment. Another 34 percent of those surveyed said they simply “did not know what to do.”
If you’re looking for an affordable and meaningful way to go green every month, look no further than your co-op’s Green Power program.
Launched in 2001, the Green Power program is a partnership between the state’s not-for-profit electric cooperatives and Santee Cooper, the state-run utility. It allows electricity consumers to voluntarily purchase 100-kilowatt-hour blocks of electricity generated entirely from renewable resources for just $3 a month. One block is approximately 10 percent of a typical household’s monthly energy use.
Green Power is an entirely voluntary program. You can join or quit at any time, just by contacting your cooperative. There’s no equipment to purchase, and there’s no disruption to your lifestyle. You can buy as many blocks as you like knowing you are doing your part to reduce our state’s carbon footprint. Even better, 100 percent of your Green Power purchase is reinvested in South Carolina renewable energy sources including landfill gas, solar and wind.
To join the Green Power team, or learn more about the program, contact your local electric cooperative or visit scgreenpower.com.