Berkeley Electric, in conjunction with Santee Cooper, is giving you the chance to sign up for South Carolina’s first source of renewable power generation. For updates on the Green Power program.
What is Green Power?
Green Power is electricity generated by sustainable resources such as solar, wind or in Berkeley’s case, decomposing garbage in selected landfills. In all cases, green power minimizes harm to the environment. In using the methane emitted by decomposing garbage as fuel for generating power, we can significantly reduce the amount of greenhouse gas that would otherwise harm the atmosphere.
Why is Berkeley Electric offering this program to its members?
Berkeley Electric Cooperative and Santee Cooper are working together on the Green Power Program in response to increased member interest in renewable energy and concern for the environment. By taking this initial step to meet and encourage the growing demand for renewable energy, we can help reduce reliance solely on limited generation resources while improving and preserving the environment for future generations.
Where does the electricity for the program come from?
The renewable energy source is methane gas produced at the Horry County Solid Waster Authority Landfill, the Lee Couny Landfill SC, LLC and the Richland County Landfill. The methane gas from decomposing garbage produces 14.2 megawatts of electricity.
How does the Green Power Program help improve the environment?
Renewable resources produce little or no air pollution or waste. Better yet, some of them actually reduce air pollution and benefit the environment. The 14.2 megawatts reduces methane emissions from the landfills. This is equivalent to planting more than 17,800acres of trees, enough to cover an almost 75 square mile area. In fact, the Green Power Program has acheived national Green-e certification through the Center for Resource Solutions (CRS) based in California. The Green Power Program is one of the few programs in the nation to receive Green-e certification.
How does renewable energy differ from other energy sources?
Today, most electricity comes from limited generation sources. Renewable resources, such as the sun, wind and decomposing garbage, provide a regenerating fuel source for electricity. Using renewable resources to produce electricity will help reduce the need to use conventional generators powered by limited generation resources.
Why does renewable energy cost more?
Facilities that use renewable resources to generate electricity are currently expensive to build and operate. Increased customer demand by members like you for renewable energy will lead to further development of renewable technologies. And although the price of green power is typically higher, the value of green power is greater because it doesn’t have the environmental impacts often associated with typical generating resources.
Consider this...by spending just $6 a month for Green Power - the equivalent to skipping lunch just once - you can help the environment as much as if you: planted over 1/3 acre of trees or didn't drive from almost 3 months.
