Green Energy

Green energy is often used interchangeably with renewable energy, but the two terms are technically different. Energy is considered “green” when it is the most sustainable option with the least environmental impact. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), all green energy is renewable and comes from “solar, wind, geothermal, biogas, eligible biomass, and low-impact small hydroelectric sources.”

Renewable energy refers to resources that naturally replenish themselves. However, not all renewable energy sources are considered green because some impact the environment. For example, large hydroelectric power is renewable, but it can negatively impact fish populations and their ecosystems.

As green energy and renewable resources become more attainable, consumers in deregulated states can select plans that prioritize green energy. The following table shows the amount of renewable energy produced in prominent deregulated states out of their total electricity generation, according to data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA). Each state’s data is from 2022, except California and Texas, which have data from 2023.

• Solar energy: Solar panels contain photovoltaic cells that capture sunlight and convert the electrical charge into energy.
• Wind power: This type of energy is generated when turbines create energy by connecting to a generator and building electricity when the wind spins the blades of the turbine.
• Geothermal energy: Power plants use hot water and steam from underground reservoirs to run a turbine and produce electricity.
• Eligible biomass: Organic material from plants and animals is burned and converted to fuel.
• Hydropower: Hydropower harnesses the kinetic energy of moving water by connecting to turbines or a generator.

As electricity in the United States continues to evolve, more green and renewable energy solutions are becoming available. Consumers in deregulated states can invest even further into green energy by picking electricity plans and providers with renewable sources for their home’s electricity. Take a look at our expert’s recommendations for green energy providers.

• Gexa Energy is making waves for renewable energy in Texas. This provider offers plans sourced from 100% green energy and provides discounts on electric vehicle charging periods.
• Clearview Energy serves customers across Texas and the Northeast. It provides 100% green energy plans, largely sourced from wind power.
• Green Mountain Energy provides fully green electricity plans in Texas, Illinois, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, and New York. It offers both fixed-rate and variable-rate plans.

Enter your ZIP code on Choose Energy to explore options available in your area. You can search for electricity plans with renewable resources by filtering for “renewable” under the features drop-down menu.

Deregulation and green energy don’t just apply to residential customers. Both are available to business owners as well. Many businesses may want to reduce their carbon footprint by going green with their electricity plan. Call the number on your screen to chat with one of our energy experts, or fill out this form for help.

Can green energy replace fossil fuels?

The short answer is yes, but it will take time to fully shift away from fossil fuels. In 2023, fossil fuels accounted for 83% of total U.S. energy consumption, which means we are far away from no longer relying on them. The good news is that you can take steps to reduce your household’s reliance on fossil fuels by choosing a green energy plan.

What is the benefit of green energy?

Green energy sources are naturally replenishable and emit little to no harmful chemicals. Compared to fossil fuels which release a large amount of carbon dioxide and other harmful gasses into the atmosphere, green energy leaves little impact on the environment.

How can I use green energy?

You can choose green energy by selecting a provider or plan that uses renewable energy sources or purchase renewable energy credits to account for your usage. Enter your ZIP code on Choose Energy to browse our selection of trusted green energy providers.

Green energy refers to electricity generated from sources that do not add significantly to the planet’s carbon footprint. The idea is that the growing use of green electricity will forestall global warming. Suppliers in deregulated states across the U.S. offer green products, some with energy generated by 100 percent green methods and others with varying percentages of green generation.

Green energy and renewable energy are often used interchangeably, but there is a small difference. All green energy is renewable, while some renewable products aren’t always green. Biomass can fall into this category, but there is ongoing scientific debate over it.

 

The Energy Information Administration considers the following generation methods and sources renewable: hydroelectric, wind, geothermal, biomass, wood and wood-derived, other biomass, and solar. Generation from those sources increased 28.6 percent from 2015 through 2020. Together, those generation methods made up more than 22 percent of the country’s electricity.

Following is the amount of green energy produced in prominent deregulated states and the largest contributor to that total, according to EIA data for December 2020:  

• California: 45.8 percent, solar.
• Connecticut: 4.8 percent, solar.
• Illinois: 11.7 percent, wind.
• Maryland: 14.3 percent, hydro.
• Massachusetts: 27.4 percent, solar.
• New Hampshire: 26.1 percent, hydro.
• New Jersey: 9.5 percent, solar.
• New York: 34.3 percent, hydro.
• Ohio: 3.8 percent, wind.
• Pennsylvania: 4.8 percent, wind.
• Texas: 25.5 percent, wind.

[Fauod A. Saad]/Shutterstock

• Geothermal – uses hot water and steam from underground reservoirs. Power plants convert the heat and steam and use it to drive a turbine to produce electricity.
• Solar – photovoltaic panels perform as semiconductors, with negative and positive layers. Conductors attached to both layers create an electronic circuit, turning electrons from sunlight into electricity.
• Wind – spins turbines, turning rotors connected to a generator.
• Hydro – dams channel water through turbines, feeding generators.
• Biomass – plant and animal material is converted to liquid or gas biofuels, which can be burned.

Texas leads in electricity generated by wind, California tops solar, and Washington state leads in hydroelectric power.

Every deregulated electricity plan in Texas includes renewable energy. You can find the percentage in a plan’s Electricity Facts Label. Our buying guide can help with sorting through plans for great value. Most providers also sell plans fueled by additional green energy, as much as 100 percent.

The following providers only sell green plans:

• Gexa Energy
• Chariot Energy
• Green Mountain Energy
• Iberdrola Texas

Green energy plans are sold outside Texas as well, and you don’t have to do a web search for “renewable energy plans near me” or “green electricity providers in my area” to find them. Simply enter your ZIP code and Choose Energy will return plans available to you. You can sort by green energy, price, term, and more to find what you need.

Other factors that may influence your decision include no-deposit plans or prepaid electricity.   

Deregulation doesn’t just apply to residential customers, and neither does green energy. Both are available to business energy customers as well. More and more businesses are trying to reduce their carbon footprints, and green energy plans can accomplish or at least help with that.

Choose Energy offers business energy solutions tailored for your company. Our energy experts need a little information about your average usage and when you use the most energy. Give us a call at the number on this page or fill out this form for help.

Will green energy be sent to my house if I sign up for a 100 percent green plan?

No. Your provider will buy renewable energy credits to offset 100 percent of your energy use. Green energy delivered to the grid mingles with electricity from fossil and other fuels.

How do renewable energy credits work?

The credits are used to help pay for expansion of other green energy efforts, thereby raising the amount of renewable energy in the grid.

Does generation of green energy harm the environment in any way?

Some of it does. For example, solar panels use some toxic metals. Wind turbine blades, once they’re no longer useful, can sit for years in landfills. But the reduction in carbon dioxide remains a positive.

What if my power goes out? What do I do?

In every deregulated state, green and other types of energy are delivered to homes and businesses by utilities. These companies are in charge of maintaining and repairing the equipment used for transmission. If you experience an outage, contact your utility.

Ready to shop for green energy rates? Just enter your ZIP code in the space on this page. Filter the results for green energy and find a plan that’s right for you. Your new provider will help with setting up service so there’s no interruption.

You also can contact one of our energy experts at the phone number on this page.

Start now to reduce your carbon footprint with a renewable energy plan.

Updated 3/3/2021