Look at what others are doing in our community! The Crofton Civic Association, in conjunction with a grant from the Chesapeake Bay Trust, was able to plant a large rain garden at the entrance "gate" to Crofton. This rain garden will help filter runoff going into the adjacent pond, and will keep the area from getting swampy when it rains. Volunteers who participated also received information and education from a Master Watershed Steward and the Bay-Wise program (which we have written about previously). The large grant from Chesapeake Bay Trust is generated by the sale of Bay Plates and those who donate to the Bay Fund through their tax forms.
Congratulations to Crofton and the participants of this project, and thank you for helping to protect our environment.
Capital Gazette Crofton Rain Garden article
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Monday, June 11, 2012
Changing Your Energy Supplier
Someone recently asked us, "Where do I go to change my energy supplier?". Great question-- here is the answer!
Energy comes from a variety of sources-- coal fired and nuclear power plants, wind farms and solar. All of that electricity is supplied to a common grid, and then distributed to the users. While in our area, BGE is the only source for energy distribution, we have many options of how our energy is created or supplied. Changing your supplier is as easy as doing a little research to decide who you want to use, and then signing up with that company. The company that you sign up with will do all of the background paperwork to coordinate with BGE, and actually make the change. Be aware that by default, BGE is both your supplier and distributor. Also note that within all of the various options of suppliers, there are different rates available for different terms. Maybe you only want to test the waters and see how it goes... then sign up for a one year contract with a supplier and at the end of the year, if you do not renew with them- you will typically get defaulted back to BGE. In our house, we found a company that had comparable rates to what BGE was offering, but provided 100% Wind Energy. They even gave us a great little sticker to put in our front window that says so.
Some may ask, "how do I know that the electricity I am buying through this supplier is the energy I am getting?". The truthful answer is that no one really knows where the electrons that are coursing through your wires were actually generated. No matter where or how the electricity was generated it all goes to a common grid system and gets routed to where it is needed. What is important is that you are showing your support for renewable energy by how you spend your money. If enough of us show that we are happy to spend our money on renewable energy technologies, then eventually companies such as BGE will want to find ways to switch from coal fired technologies to more or equally lucrative alternate options. Make a statement today about what is important to you. Choose to spend your money on electricity supply that does not damage the earth. Check out the links below to get the details on how to make the change.
How Energy Supply and Distribution Works
How to Choose and Switch Your Supplier
List of Supplier Options
Energy comes from a variety of sources-- coal fired and nuclear power plants, wind farms and solar. All of that electricity is supplied to a common grid, and then distributed to the users. While in our area, BGE is the only source for energy distribution, we have many options of how our energy is created or supplied. Changing your supplier is as easy as doing a little research to decide who you want to use, and then signing up with that company. The company that you sign up with will do all of the background paperwork to coordinate with BGE, and actually make the change. Be aware that by default, BGE is both your supplier and distributor. Also note that within all of the various options of suppliers, there are different rates available for different terms. Maybe you only want to test the waters and see how it goes... then sign up for a one year contract with a supplier and at the end of the year, if you do not renew with them- you will typically get defaulted back to BGE. In our house, we found a company that had comparable rates to what BGE was offering, but provided 100% Wind Energy. They even gave us a great little sticker to put in our front window that says so.
Some may ask, "how do I know that the electricity I am buying through this supplier is the energy I am getting?". The truthful answer is that no one really knows where the electrons that are coursing through your wires were actually generated. No matter where or how the electricity was generated it all goes to a common grid system and gets routed to where it is needed. What is important is that you are showing your support for renewable energy by how you spend your money. If enough of us show that we are happy to spend our money on renewable energy technologies, then eventually companies such as BGE will want to find ways to switch from coal fired technologies to more or equally lucrative alternate options. Make a statement today about what is important to you. Choose to spend your money on electricity supply that does not damage the earth. Check out the links below to get the details on how to make the change.
How Energy Supply and Distribution Works
How to Choose and Switch Your Supplier
List of Supplier Options
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