Wind Power FAQs

1. What is WGES CleanSteps^SM WindPower?
2. Why Choose WGES CleanSteps^SM WindPower?
3. Why can't I choose to purchase high wind energy offers from my utility?
4. Where does WGES CleanSteps^SM WindPower come from?
5. How does WGES CleanSteps^SM WindPower improve regional air quality?
6. If I buy WGES CleanSteps^SM WindPower, will this clean energy be delivered to my home?
7. Can I be assured I will receive wind power?
8. Will I have to get new power lines or install a new meter, a wind turbine or other special equipment to receive WGES CleanSteps^SM WindPower?
9. Will I get a separate bill from WGES?
10. Will wind power cause any service interruptions?
11. Will my electricity supply depend on the wind blowing?
12. Does wind power cost more?
13. Do wind farms harm birds or bats?

1. What is WGES CleanSteps^SM WindPower?

   As a competitive energy supplier committed to environmental stewardship, Washington Gas Energy Services, Inc. (WGES) offers customers WGES CleanSteps^SM WindPower, green power from local wind farms.

   • Standard: All WGES residential customers currently receive 5% of their standard electricity generated from clean, emissions-free wind power. WGES’ distinguishing commitment is separate and above state-mandated renewable energy requirements.
   • Optional: Residential customers can increase their investment in renewable energy with 50% or 100% WGES CleanSteps^SM WindPower included in their electricity supply.
   • How it works: For as much electricity as your household consumes, WGES will purchase the same amount of wind power from regional wind farms. By choosing WGES CleanSteps^SM WindPower, individual households can help grow one of the cleanest energy sources in our power grid.
   top ^

2. Why Choose WGES CleanSteps^SM WindPower?

   • Wind power, the world's fastest-growing energy resource, displaces power from fossil fuels, 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.
   • WGES CleanSteps^SM WindPower is sourced entirely from local wind farms. It’s a simple, cost-effective way for individuals to offset their carbon footprint by investing in the generation of wind power and have that built into their usual electricity price. Your household will require no additional equipment or special installations. This improves regional air quality, benefits the local economy and reduces dependence on fossil fuels.
   top ^

3. Why can't I choose to purchase high wind energy offers from my utility?

   Many states have passed laws creating a competitive electricity market. In these markets, utility companies are your default electricity provider and are allowed to offer one regulated product. If a customer would like to purchase anything different than this regulated product, they would need to choose a competitive supplier like WGES.

   top ^

4. Where does WGES CleanSteps^SM WindPower come from?

   In 2009 we purchased from wind farms in West Virginia, Illinois and Pennsylvania (view map). A wind farm is a group of wind turbines (also known as windmills) that produce electricity when wind turns the turbines. Currently D.C., Maryland nor Delaware have wind farms in operation.

   top ^

5. How does WGES CleanSteps^SM WindPower improve regional air quality?

   Wind generation displaces carbon-based fuels, directly reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. The more wind that is added to the grid, the more these emissions decrease. In order to determine the emission-reduction benefits associated with wind power, it is important to know where the wind power was produced. This is because the environmental benefits associated with wind power are characterized by the grid power that it replaces. WGES CleanSteps^SM WindPower is from our region of the transmission system where wind displaces coal, oil and natural gas.

   top ^

6. If I buy WGES CleanSteps^SM WindPower, will this clean energy be delivered to my home?

   Like the majority of Americans, you are tapped into a regional power grid that uses a mixture of power sources (wind, solar, hydro, coal, gas, nuclear, etc). Those power sources create electrons that subsequently provide electricity to your home. Once electrons reach the transmission grid, there is no way to separate those generated from wind power from those generated from other sources. However, when you purchase WGES CleanSteps^SM WindPower, you are supporting the development of clean, renewable wind power in our regional power grid.

   top ^

7. Can I be assured I will receive wind power?

   For every unit of wind power you consume, WGES purchases the same number of wind energy credits and enters them into electronic tracking/accounting systems. Once that energy credit is "retired" in a tracking system, it can't be used again by someone else.

   top ^

8. Will I have to get new power lines or install a new meter, a wind turbine or other special equipment to receive WGES CleanSteps^SM WindPower?

   No special equipment is needed. You will continue receiving seamless delivery of electricity to your home without the necessity of special equipment. Your utility company will continue to provide emergency and other services.

   top ^

9. Will I get a separate bill from WGES?

   No. You will continue to receive one bill from your utility company with WGES electricity charges included.

   top ^

10. Will wind power cause any service interruptions?

    WGES CleanSteps^SM WindPower won't cause interruptions. You'll benefit from the same reliability of service as your neighbors, drawing electricity from the same transmission lines. Your utility company will continue to maintain distribution systems. The difference is you'll add renewable WGES CleanSteps^SM WindPower to your electricity purchase.

    top ^

11. Will my electricity supply depend on the wind blowing?

    No. Your power service continues uninterrupted at all times because you remain connected to the electrical grid supplying power to your area.

12. Does wind power cost more?

    WGES CleanSteps^SM WindPower is embedded in your utility price and can be higher or lower than the standard utility rate, depending upon the electricity market. Either 50% or 100% WGES CleanSteps^SM WindPower has a price premium, which covers two commodities — standard electricity and RECs sourced from local wind farms. WGES' one- and two-year contract terms with fixed pricing give you an advantage by protecting your budget from uncertain utility rate changes.

    top ^

13. 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.

    top ^