Frank Templeton  with generators inside a landfill gas plant. 

Local electric companies use energy from landfill gas in their green energy programs.

                           

      One of the best ways to go green is to sign up for a green energy program with your local electric company.
     To stop global warming we must both conserve energy and switch to green energy sources, such as wind power, geothermal energy, and solar energy. Energy from burning landfill gas also helps this effort.  As we use greater amounts of green energy, the technology will continue to improve and prices can decrease.
    Green energy still costs the electric companies more than burning coal for energy.  That means that green energy programs cost consumers a bit more -- but it's well worth the extra cost to take action which supports the operation and development of renewable energy..
    Currently there are five landfill gas power plants in Kentucky, generating 15 megawatts of electricity, enough to power about 9,000 homes. These five plants eliminate 29,881 tons of methane per year and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 88,235 tons. Methane and carbon dioxide are the main types of greenhouse gas pollution causing global warming.
    Switching to nonpolluting renewable energy is urgent. Greenhouse gases are involved in dangerous feedback loops.  For example, carbon dioxide pollution causes a little bit of warming which then causes the release of additional carbon dioxide from the oceans and permafrost.  This extra carbon dioxide causes even more warming, which causes even more carbon dioxide to be released into the atmosphere. Scientists tell us that we have a limited amount of time to drastically decrease our greenhouse gas emissions, before  dangerous feedback loops like this one cause run away global warming.

    Envirowatts is Inter-County Energy's customer’s opportunity to buy green energy.  Now, KU and LG&E are also offering their customers the chance to buy green energy.
    For information on  Envirowatts,  or to sign up, contact Inter-County or go to  www.intercountyenergy.net
    For information on KU and LG&E Green Energy Program or to sign up, contact your company or go to www.eon-us.com/green

Copyright 2007 Christine Missik