What is CleanSteps^SM WindPower?

Washington Gas Energy Services (WGES) brings you an exciting electricity option - renewable energy credits from regional wind farms. Wind power, the world's fastest-growing energy resource, displaces conventional power, reduces carbon dioxide and your carbon footprint, and helps eliminate air pollution problems such as smog and acid rain. Plus, wind is an unlimited resource with an unlimited supply! Electricity deregulation provides choices, and wind power simply is the clean choice…the right choice.

What is a wind farm?

A wind farm is a group of wind turbines that produce electricity when wind turns the turbines.

Where does CleanSteps^SM WindPower come from?

At WGES, we think local is important. That's why we purchase wind power within our own region of the transmission system, PJM. Because WGES chooses local, the benefits of WGES CleanSteps^SM WindPower – such as environmental health and green jobs – remain in the regional community.

To see a map of wind farms from which WGES buys green power, click here. In 2009, we purchased wind power from West Virginia, Illinois and Pennsylvania.

Why should I choose CleanSteps^SM WindPower?

CleanSteps^SM WindPower is sourced entirely from wind — and wind is one of the cleanest energy sources available: Wind power displaces power from oil, natural gas, or coal and avoids the environmental and health impacts associated with drilling, mining, transporting and burning non-renewable fuels. Wind power does not contribute to global warming. Plus, CleanSteps^SM WindPower provides a local option that benefits your community: CleanSteps^SM WindPower comes from the regional power grid.

What are renewable energy credits (RECs)?

Renewable energy credits (RECs) represent the property rights to the environmental benefits of 1 megawatt hour (MWh) or 1,000 kilowatt hours (kWhs) of renewable energy generation. To put this number into perspective, in 2007 the average American household used 11 MWh per year. RECs are sometimes called renewable energy certificates, green tags, or wind energy credits if sourced from wind farms. When you purchase a REC, that REC is yours and no one else's. Each REC makes a difference for wind power developers. The more RECs you buy, the more wind power facilities will be developed.

Can I be assured I will receive wind power?

Yes. For every unit of wind power you consume, WGES purchases the same number of wind energy credits and enters them into an electronic tracking/accounting system. WGES carefully tracks the electricity consumption of all CleanSteps^SM WindPower customers. Once a REC is "retired" in a third-party tracking system, it can't be used again by someone else.

Will I have to get new lines, a new meter, or another electricity bill?

When you choose CleanSteps^SM WindPower, you'll see a line-item change on your utility bill, but everything else will stay the same. Your utility will continue to maintain distribution systems, and you'll receive your same utility bill. You won't need new lines or a new meter, and wind power won't cause interruptions.

Does wind power cost more?

CleanSteps^SM WindPower can cost more or less than the standard utility rate, depending on the electricity market. However, the 50% or 100% CleanSteps^SM WindPower options have price premiums above the WGES standard electricity price, which includes 5% wind for all customers. That's because CleanSteps^SM WindPower is made up of two commodities: standard electricity and RECs sourced from local wind farms.

Is wind power a new technology?

No. Wind energy has been used for more than 4,000 years. By 1800, there were about 500,000 windmills across Europe and China. By 1930, more than 600,000 windmills were pumping water and producing electricity in the U.S. Today's large, utility-scale wind turbines, first installed in the early 1980s, continue to improve through research and development.

Do wind farms harm birds or bats?

The proper design and planning of wind farms has greatly reduced adverse effects on wildlife, and today bird deaths from wind farms are minimal. Ongoing research into bat populations continues to inform wind farm development. Some of the strongest wildlife organizations, such as the Sierra Club and Defenders of Wildlife, support wind energy.

Is wind power a growing resource?

For the past several years, wind has been the fastest-growing power source worldwide, with an annual average growth rate of almost 40% for the past five years. By the end of 2008, American wind projects totaled 25,369 MW; by the end of 2009 this figure had grown to 34,863 MW.

How many people work in the U.S. wind industry?

Wind energy creates more jobs per unit of energy than any other energy source. One megawatt of wind creates nearly five job-years of employment. The wind industry added 35,000 jobs in 2008, bringing total employment up to 85,000.