100% Wind-Powered Home

On Maryland Energy Independence Day last July, I read an interview with a World Wildlife Fund researcher in The Washington Post. She said that from seeing the effects of climate change on animal habitat, she believes there is a five-to-seven year window for us to take action. I hope she is wrong and we have more time. Heck, I hope many things, but as Mel Brooks said, "Hope for the best and prepare for the worst."

So I plugged in my computer and looked for good ideas. I found my way to the U.S. Department of Energy's Green Power Network site and learned that we could power our house with renewable energy. I shared the good news with my husband, who like me was surprised and pleased that it's available in our state. Nobody told us! And we watch a lot of TV! I followed the links and chose a Green-e certified provider generating wind power in Maryland and neighboring Pennsylvania: http://www.commerceenergy.com. Using Commerce Energy's site, I quickly and easily switched our energy supply from Baltimore Gas & Electric (BGE)'s standard mix of 60% coal/30% nuclear/10% alternative to Commerce Energy's 100% wind-generated power.

When I compared the cost, it looked like it would be around $20-25 more monthly, but our contract has a fixed rate for one year. So it could be cheaper before long. Anyway, we had already reduced our energy costs more than enough to make up the difference. And making that decision felt good to us.

Commerce Energy notified BGE and our power switched over in September. BGE continues to distribute the power to us and bill us, so after that visit to Commerce Energy's Web site, we haven't had to do anything differently. We've been powered by wind for over seven months and our electricity is reliable and consistent, no different than before. And knowing what's behind it continues to feel really good.