July 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 – July 2023 Update
103.2k
mWh
Provision customers have funded 103,186 mWh of clean energy generation, which could power 11,095 homes for a year.*
74.2k
tons
Provision customers have offset 74,182 tons of carbon, which is like avoiding over 190 million miles of driving.**
80.0k
trees
Provision customers have funded planting 80,038 trees, which may sequester 1,320 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.
July 2023 Impact Update: Chief Joseph Dam – Chief Joseph G1-16 Project
About the Project
The Chief Joseph Dam is situated in Bridgeport, Washington, on the Columbia River at mile 545. The dam is managed and owned by the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Seattle District. The Rivers and Harbors Act authorized its construction in 1945 for hydropower and irrigation purposes.
In addition to these authorized functions, the dam serves other purposes such as recreation and maintaining water quality. The Chief Joseph Dam is a run-of-river type project with a height of 236 feet and a length of 5,962 feet. Its construction was completed in phases, with units 1-8 finished in 1955, units 9-16 completed in 1958, and units 17-27 finished in 1979.
The dam includes a powerhouse and spillway and has an average operating range of 950-956 feet mean sea level (msl) for its forebay elevation. Its spillway capacity can handle up to 1,200,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) of water flow at maximum capacity. The powerhouse has a generation capacity of 2,069 megawatts (MW) and a hydraulic capacity of 219,000 cfs.
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 Megawatt-hours (mWh) of renewable electricity using RECs.
How It Works
The Chief Joseph Dam is a run-of-river project that diverts water from the Columbia River into the forebay through an intake structure. The forebay is a small reservoir located upstream of the powerhouse and serves as a holding area for the water before it flows through the turbines in the powerhouse. The forebay elevation is maintained within a normal operating range of 950-956 feet msl.
Water is released from the forebay into the penstock, a large pipe that transports water to the turbines. Water flows through the turbines, spinning them and producing electricity in the generators. The powerhouse at Chief Joseph Dam consists of 27 turbine-generator units, each with a generation capacity of 76.6 MW, for a total capacity of 2,069 MW.
After passing through the turbines, the water is discharged into the tailrace, a channel that returns the water to the Columbia River downstream of the dam. The tailrace is designed to maintain a minimum water level to ensure sufficient water for downstream uses such as irrigation, municipal water supply, and fish habitat.
The Chief Joseph Dam operates by harnessing the power of the Columbia River to produce electricity through its 27 turbine-generator units while also providing water for irrigation and municipal use and maintaining water quality downstream.
Project Benefits
The Chief Joseph Dam benefits the surrounding community and the wider region. The dam is the second-largest hydropower-producing dam in the United States and the largest operated by the USACE, which is one of the primary benefits. The dam, with a total generating capacity of over 2,000 MW, generates approximately $450 million in electricity each year, enough to power the entire Seattle metropolitan area.
The dam plays a vital role in maintaining water quality, with the project designed to monitor and manage water quality consistent with the Clean Water Act and state standards. The dam also provides recreational opportunities in and around Rufus Woods Lake, including boating, fishing, hiking, picnicking, and camping. Walleye, rainbow trout, and triploid trout are among the primary game fish caught in the lake, making it a popular destination for anglers from all over the region.
Conclusion
The Chief Joseph Dam is a significant infrastructure project that substantially benefits the surrounding community and the wider region. The dam, with a total generating capacity of over 2,000 MW, is the second-largest hydropower-producing dam in the United States, generating approximately $450 million in electricity annually. The project also plays an essential role in maintaining water quality and provides recreational opportunities in and around Rufus Woods Lake. The Chief Joseph Dam is crucial for hydropower production, water quality management, and recreational activities.
As a Provision customer, you support projects like the Chief Joseph Dam – Chief Joseph G1-16 Project in using and growing renewable energy sources. By offsetting carbon emissions and switching to sustainable energy projects, you positively impact the environment and the planet. 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.
