Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I know that I'm getting what I'm paying for?
- The energy is metered from the point of production through the generating station and onto the grid so that each kilowatt of new, clean, domestic wind or solar power is traced and certified by Green-E as well as audited by an independent third party. Your Renewable Energy Certificate (REC), or ‘green tag’, has a serial number unique to that amount of green power.
Back to Top - Isn’t the electricity from these projects going to go onto the grid anyway?
- Yes, the electricity from these projects is going onto the grid anyway, but by purchasing ‘green tags’ we are each supporting more new and renewable energy projects coming onto the grid by participating in this voluntary show of demand for clean and domestic energy sources which are initially more expensive to build than traditional polluting power choices such as coal. It is all about changing up the mix of power being supplied to the grid in a move away from sources that contribute to the greenhouse gas problem and toward a more sustainable choice by using our economic voice. More info.
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- Does the power go to my house?
- The power may or may not go to your house or business as there is no way to ensure that those specific electrons flow to a specific end user. The truth is that carbon knows no boundaries so by greening the power grid, we are cleaning up the earth’s atmosphere.
Back to Top - Do you offer any products other than RECs?
- Currently, Zero JH offers these Renewable Energy Certificates in what we view to be the most effective way to make a positive shift in our carbon footprints. Soon, we may be able to offer other opportunities participate in watershed restoration or tree planting, so stay tuned while you jump in and be a part of the change you’d like to see!
Back to Top - Why wouldn’t I go directly to BEF to offset?
- When you choose to offset through Zero JH, a portion of your purchase goes to fund local solar education projects in and around Jackson Hole for the same price as you would pay to offset through BEF. Buy local!
Back to Top - Can you help me put solar panels on my home/business?
- While Zero JH can not fund, nor install, solar panels on your home or business, we can help you find the local resources you might need. Please contact us for more information
Back to Top - Wouldn’t reducing be better than offsetting?
- Reducing our energy needs is very important. We recommend that you reduce your CO2 footprint as much as possible and then offset the rest by purchasing Green Tags.
Back to Top - Who is Green-e?
- Green-e is the nation's leading independent certification and verification program for renewable energy and companies that use renewable energy. The Green-e logo identifies superior, certified renewable energy options, and is used by businesses to communicate the purchase and/or generation of certified renewable energy. For more information, please visit the Green-e website: www.green-e.org.
Back to Top - I heard wind farms kill birds! Will these projects kill birds?
- All of the wind and biomass projects from which BEF purchases Green Tags are reviewed by independent third party reviewers who determined that these projects meet rigorous environmental siting and operations criteria endorsed by three leading environmental organizations: The Natural Resources Defense Council, the Northwest Energy Coalition and the Renewable Northwest Project. BEF is, to our knowledge, the only Green Tag provider that has such an environmental screen or performs such project analyses. The small hydro project from which BEF purchases Green Tags is certified by the Low Impact Hydro Institute. BEF purchased solar tags are deemed by our environmental partners to have low environmental impacts.
Back to Top - How much difference are my green tags going to make?
- Buying green tags sends a powerful economic message to support the development of new, clean and domestic energy sources while helping to minimize the number of new dirty power plants being added to our energy grid.
Back to Top - How can I help make this trend a movement?
- Buy Green Tags and offset every portion of your life through Zero JH and tell everyone you know to do the same.
Back to Top - How much of U.S. electricity is generated from renewable sources?
- 2%. Using non-renewable resources to create electricity produces more harmful emissions linked to global warming than any other human activity. The 2% of U.S. electricity that is generated from clean, renewable resources such as wind, solar, geothermal, small scale hydroelectric and biomass, produce dramatically less air pollution and have significantly smaller environmental impacts.
Back to Top - What does it mean to retire a REC?
- Retirement occurs when a Renewable Energy Certificate (REC) is used by the owner of the REC. Once an REC is retired, it may not be sold, donated, or transferred to any other party. No party other than the owner may make claims associated with retired RECs.
Back to Top - Why is the purchase of REC's tax deductible?
- Pursue Balance and Bonneville Environmental Foundation are registered as non-profit organizations and have been granted 501(c)(3) status by the IRS. When you make a contribution to Pursue Balance for the express purpose of buying Green Tags, you are directing Pursue Balance to buy the amount of Green Tags that you designate, and retire all available emissions credits. Although this means that you won't personally own the emissions offsets as your property, you will help to accomplish the environmental outcome that is your goal - cleaner air and additional renewable energy projects. And, we will gratefully send you an acknowledgement of your contribution, which is tax deductible to the full extent allowed under the law. Please consult with your own tax advisor if you have further questions about the tax deductibility of your contribution.
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