February 2023 CarbonBetter® Impact Update
Every month we share the positive impact our customers have made through their use of CarbonBetter-certified 100% energy, which is included in every Provision clean energy supply plan. Each customer on these plans receives an email with their personal impact for the month, and this blog post reflects the impact all of our customers have made together since we became CarbonBetter-certified in November 2020.
We’re honored to be able to provide affordable clean energy that makes a real difference. Check out all of our past Impact Updates here!
Our Customers’ CarbonBetter Impact – February 2023 Update
96.9k
mWh
Provision customers have funded 96,982 mWh of clean energy generation, which could power 10,428 homes for a year.*
64.4k
tons
Provision customers have offset 64,419 tons of carbon, which is like avoiding over 159 million miles of driving.**
71.7k
trees
Provision customers have funded planting 71,693 trees, which may sequester 1,182 tons of carbon in their lifetime.***
Want to be included in our next impact update?
It’s easy to contribute to the positive impact we make each month. All Provision energy plans include CarbonBetter clean energy, which helps you make a difference automatically when you use energy at home.
Our customers help fund clean energy generation through renewable energy certificates, offset carbon through carbon credits, and plant trees to aid in reforestation and increase our natural carbon-capturing capabilities. It’s never too late to start using your energy for good.
February 2023 Impact Update: Stateline Wind Project – FPL Energy Vansycle LLC
About the Project
The Stateline Wind Project is an onshore wind energy facility in Umatilla County, Oregon. The project consists of two operational units with a combined peak generating capacity of 222 megawatts (MW). Developed by FPL Energy Vansycle LLC, the Stateline Wind Project generates clean, renewable energy for the region, creating job opportunities and stimulating economic growth. Provision purchased Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) for this project, which generates enough clean energy to power approximately 177,000 households, significantly reducing the local community’s carbon footprint and contributing to the fight against climate change.
Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) Explained
100% renewable electricity is included automatically in every Provision electricity supply plan, and we use renewable energy certificates, or RECs, to deliver on our clean energy promise. Homes are connected to the power grid by transmission lines, and the electricity that’s supplied is derived from a variety of generation resources, both renewable and non-renewable. This is because when clean energy is generated and put on the grid, it’s mixed with other fuel sources, making it difficult for environmentally conscious consumers to supply their homes with 100% clean energy.
Provision ensures more clean energy is put on the grid by funding renewable generators by purchasing RECs. These certificates support electricity generation equal to the volume consumed by Provision customers, thus leading to a cleaner grid and delivering on pour 100% clean energy promise. So far, Provision customers have helped fund over 70,000 mWh of renewable electricity using RECs.
How the Stateline Wind Project Works
The Stateline Wind Project is made up of two geographic units: Stateline 1 & 2, which has a peak generating capacity of up to 123 MW and is composed of 186 wind turbines, and Vansycle II, which has a peak generating capacity of 99 MW and currently has 42 wind turbines, with plans to add up to 45 more wind turbines, bringing its total peak generating capacity to up to 119 MW.
The wind turbines have large blades that are turned by the wind. As the blades rotate, they drive a rotor connected to a generator, which converts the mechanical energy from the wind into electrical energy. The electrical energy produced by the wind turbines is transmitted to a substation, where it is stepped up to a higher voltage and sent out onto the power grid for distribution to homes and businesses. The power grid then delivers electricity to the consumers who need it. A system of meters and other monitoring equipment tracks the amount of electricity produced by the wind turbines.
Project Benefits
The project offers a range of benefits, both in producing renewable energy and a positive environmental impact. The Stateline Wind Project Wildlife Monitoring Final Report, which covers the period from July 2001 to December 2003, provides some insights into the specific benefits of the project, including:
- Clean and renewable energy—The Stateline Wind Project generates clean and renewable energy by harnessing the power of the wind, reducing the region’s dependence on non-renewable sources like fossil fuels.
- Positive environmental impact—The construction and operation of the Stateline Wind Project have a relatively small environmental footprint compared to other forms of energy generation. The Wildlife Monitoring Final Report indicates that the project has a positive impact on the environment, including creating new habitats for certain wildlife species.
- Wildlife monitoring—The Wildlife Monitoring Final Report shows that the Stateline Wind Project is designed to minimize its impact on wildlife, including birds and bats. The report details various measures to monitor and mitigate the impact on wildlife, including pre-construction surveys, post-construction monitoring, and bird and bat mortality studies.
- Economic benefits—The Stateline Wind Project provides economic benefits for the region, including job creation and increased tax revenue for local governments. The project also provides a source of income for landowners who host the wind turbines.
Conclusion
The Stateline Wind Project is a 222 MW onshore wind power project in Umatilla County, Oregon. The project can produce enough clean and renewable energy to power thousands of homes. The project’s benefits extend beyond energy production, positively impacting the environment and the economy, and responsible wildlife monitoring and mitigation.
As a Provision customer, you’re not just supporting clean energy projects like the Stateline Wind Project—you’re taking a step toward a greener, brighter future for us all. Through initiatives like offsetting carbon footprints and investing in renewable energy, Provision is making it easy for individuals and businesses to do their part in creating a better, more sustainable world. Switch to Provision and make a positive impact on the planet through your energy consumption!
Every Provision Customer Makes a Difference
About CarbonBetter Impact Calculations:
*The typical home in your area uses 9,300 kWh of electricity per year.
**https://www.epa.gov/energy/greenhouse-gases-equivalencies-calculator-calculations-and-references#gasoline
***https://www.epa.gov/energy/greenhouse-gases-equivalencies-calculator-calculations-and-references#seedlings
Impact is calculated based on our customers’ billings in the impact month, but planting, funding, and offsetting may not happen in that month. These activities must align with planting seasons and project life cycles to be effective. If you have any questions, please contact us at hello@getprovision.com.
