Health & Fitness
We've got the Power!
Here in PSE Energy country, we do have the power to decide what type of fuel we are supporting to supply our power. Taylor Barbrack, a PSE representative was present at a local retail last week, highlighting PSE's Green Power Program and reminding citizens of this opportunity.
Yes, it does cost a tad more and if you have a Mr. Darling in your household you will need to convince, one deal that you might want to make is that by turning the temperature down in your house a degree…or maybe two, the price will still be the same.
Although, Mr. Darling may point out that although the PSE Green Power program has been running for a number of years, the amount of "green" in the Fuel Mix has not changed. Compare PSE's Fuel Mix in 2009 to the current Fuel Mix for 2012.
- Hydropower went from down 50% to 42%.
- Coal went down 33 to 30%.
- Natural Gas, the one that burns cleaner but not necessary the cleaner fuel over the entire production/consumption cycle went up from 16 to 18%.
- In 2009, nuclear and other made up the remaining 2%. Currently, the nuclear and other is now up 10% with the extra 8% now coming from wind.
Thus, comparing 2009 to 2012, natural gas and coal make up the same 48% as it did before. Mr. Darling our fictional money manager does have a point. But still, that could just mean PSE has more customers to serve now, right? Or that since it is a more a fixed quantity, green hydropower is used by some other area that was relying more on fossil fuels before. Let's hope so!
Nonetheless, The Green Power is an opportunity to say yes, we do care about the source of our power!
Barbrack also provided information for PSE's major wind farm, Wild Horse Wind and Solar Facility. It is located just outside of Ellensburg and tours are available and 10a.m and at 2 p.m. Barbrack has personally worked on these wind turbines and has been inside the Nacelle unit that looks so small from the road, but is really as big as a truck. Imagine being up in one of those so far off the ground!
Finally, here is PSE's Green Power Fuel Sources. Yes, WE do have The Power! Wind is up to 8% now!!!