Today the Pembina Institute announced the launch of its Green Certificates program, an innovative initiative that allows individual Canadians to support the production of electricity from clean, renewable wind power.
Much of the electricity used in Canada is generated by burning coal, oil and gas. Using fossil fuels to produce electricity contributes to climate change, leads to poor air quality and alters watersheds, which in turn has negative health, social and economic impacts. Canadians now have a choice to support a cleaner, healthier way of producing electricity. Purchasing Green Certificates from the Pembina Institute ensures the production of wind power, effectively displacing electricity produced by conventional sources.
"Green Certificates allow Canadians to offset the polluting effects of their own energy use. When a person purchases a Green Certificate they are effectively removing electricity produced by conventional energy from the power grid and replacing it with electricity produced by wind power, demonstrating their support of renewable energy," says Tom Marr-Laing, the Pembina Institute's Executive Director.
Each Green Certificate sold results in the generation of 1,000 kilowatt-hours of green power from 100% new wind energy facilities. Vision Quest Windelectric, Canada's largest producer of wind power, will generate the associated electricity from EcoLogo? —certified facilities.
"Our wind farms are EcoLogo-certified to ensure they meet the highest environmental standards for electricity generation. Consumers can be certain that their purchase of Green Certificates is having a positive environmental impact," says Jason Edworthy, Managing Director External Relations at Vision Quest.
"We are pleased that the Pembina Institute is offering all Canadians the chance to support green power," says Edworthy, "Not only are individuals able to make a difference in their electricity choice, but they are also supporting an established non-profit organization that is committed to protecting the environment."
"It's an exciting program," says Marr-Laing, "because it is the first time in Canadian history that an environmental organization has retailed green certificates through a partnership. This is a unique alignment of a nationally recognized environmental leader and the biggest Canadian wind electricity producer."
With Green Certificates individuals can choose to offset 25%, 50% or 100% of their electricity generation-for less than 50 cents/day. They can learn more about the program by visiting www.pembina.org/green-power
AlPac, BP Canada, Suncor Energy, Climate Change Central and AlCan are sponsoring the launch of the Green Certificates program by purchasing their own Green Certificates.
For more information:
Tom Marr Laing, Executive Director, Pembina Institute: 780-542-6272
Sylvie Boustie, Director Corporate Eco-Solutions, Pembina Institute: 403-269-3344 ext. 117
Visit www.pembina.org/green-power for more information on the Green Certificates program.
