October 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 – October 2023 Update
108.2k
mWh
Provision customers have funded 108,226 mWh of clean energy generation, which could power 11,637 homes for a year.*
75.3k
tons
Provision customers have offset 75,324 tons of carbon, which is like avoiding over 193 million miles of driving.**
81.9k
trees
Provision customers have funded planting 81,880 trees, which may sequester 1,350 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.
October 2023 Impact Update: Palisades Dam – Palisades Dam G3 Project
Courtesy of usbr.gov.
About the Project
The Palisades Dam, a key federal asset, proudly stands on the Snake River in Idaho. This monumental earthfill structure, completed in the mid-20th century, was a marvel of its time, utilizing an unprecedented volume of construction material by the Bureau of Reclamation. The dam, with its intricate spillways and control mechanisms, plays a crucial role in regional water management and environmental conservation.
The reservoir, extending over vast acreage, is instrumental in flood control, irrigation, hydroelectric power generation, and recreation. The powerplant, after an uprate in 1994, contributes an impressive 176,600 kilowatts to the local grid, marking a significant stride in sustainable energy utilization.
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 Palisades Dam, under the Bureau of Reclamation’s jurisdiction, is a cornerstone in the management of the Snake River waters. It not only regulates water flow, ensuring both safety against floods and water availability during dry spells, but also houses a formidable hydroelectric facility. This plant, post its 1994 uprate, boasts a capacity of 176,600 kilowatts, powering numerous homes and industries with renewable energy.
Project Benefits
The Palisades Dam is a multifaceted project offering extensive benefits:
- Flood Control: The dam is a critical infrastructure for managing the water flow of the Snake River, safeguarding nearby communities from flood hazards.
- Irrigation: It provides vital support to the region’s agricultural activities by ensuring water availability for irrigation.
- Hydroelectric Power Generation: The dam is a significant contributor to the energy grid, supplying 176,600 kilowatts of green power.
- Recreation: With its vast reservoir, it offers a recreational haven for outdoor enthusiasts.
- Environmental Conservation: Commitment to ecological health is demonstrated through initiatives like the fish screen on Palisades Creek, protecting local aquatic life.
Conclusion
The Palisades Dam is more than a structure of concrete and earth; it is a commitment to future generations. Through flood control, power generation, and environmental conservation, it embodies the ideals that Provision holds dear. By choosing Provision, you directly contribute to the Palisades Dam G3 Project and similar initiatives, making a sustainable future not just a possibility, but a reality. Join us in this journey toward environmental stewardship and responsible energy consumption.
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.
