Energy Deregulation by States
Electricity Providers in Texas: Green Mountain Energy
Green Mountain Energy was started in 1997 in Vermont as a branch of Green Mountain Power. It is one of the few energy companies in the country to depend entirely on using renewable resources to create electricity. They separated from their parent company and moved to Austin, Texas in 2000 and have been one of the leading providers of renewable energy resources for residential customers in the deregulated utility markets of Texas, New Jersey and New York. They are partnered with Portland General Electric, who ranks #1 among investor-owned utilities that provide green electricity.
Cleaner Energy Sources
The commercial and industrial portion of their business offers purchasable carbon offset credits or actual renewable energy for corporations to reduce their CO2 emissions. Green Mountain Energy's focus is on providing cleaner, greener alternatives to fossil fuel energy production. Their alternative energy production process is powered by both wind and solar resources.
Green Day-to-Day Operations
This environmentally responsible company has pledged to decrease all corporate CO2 emissions with green power and carbon
offset purchases. From 2005 thru 2009, Green Mountain Energy reduced and maintained zero net Green House Gas emissions
for its company operations. They promote environmental stewardship with their "Green Ambassadors" events and employee
commuting program. They publicly issue a biannual sustainability report disclosing the company's environmental policies
and performance. They also support Earth Day activities, plant trees with the American Forests project and use environmentally
friendly printing practices whenever possible.
Helping People Live Green
Since the company's founding, Green Mountain Energy customers have reduced their carbon dioxide emissions by more than 11.2 billion pounds. Using the company as their energy provider, customers have helped build over 40 new wind and solar energy production facilities across the nation. Using green energy means reducing pollutants in the air, water and soil that lead to climate change, mercury poisoning, acid rain and smog. This clean energy is from an unlimited renewable resource that will not harm the land or the environment.
Electric Vehicle Programs
To further combat vehicle emissions, Green Mountain Energy has created the Pollution Free EV program, which is aimed at encouraging and supporting plug-in electric vehicles and providing them with emissions free electricity. The program is only available in Texas, but the electricity used for these vehicles is supplied entirely by Texas wind power facilities. This supports development of statewide, pollution free energy alternatives. The program combines at home charging with the use of charging stations around town to provide a complete network of energy that is available for EV owners, for a fixed monthly rate.
Additional Resources
