Where is green power available?

Policymakers and consumers have contributed to greater demand for clean energy options in recent years, and green power programs have sprung up nationwide. The first step in moving to a green power program is ensuring green power options are available in your state and utility service area.

13 states have passed legislation mandating that utilities operating within the state provide green pricing programs for their customers:

• Washington

• Oregon

• Montana

• Colorado

• New Mexico

• Minnesota

• Iowa

• Virginia

• Delaware

• New Jersey

• Connecticut

• Vermont

• Maine

If you live in one of these states, your utility must offer some type of green power program. Of the remaining 37 states, all but three (Arkansas, Louisiana, and West Virginia) have at least one utility that offers a green power purchasing option, even though there is no requirement.

Many utilities offer green power options, regardless of state laws mandating them. Of the many utilities engaging in green power programs, some stand out. Below is a table ranking the utilities with the highest numbers of green program power participants as of the beginning of 2017.

In addition to these top green power utilities, many of the largest electrical utilities in the country also offer green power, and some even have their own unique program names:

• Pacific Gas and Electric (“Green Option” program)

• Duke Energy

• Consolidated Edison

• DTE Energy (“GreenCurrents” program)

• Public Service Electricity and Gas

• Consumers Energy (“Green Generation” program)

• Los Angeles Department of Water and Power

The odds are good that your utility, or a utility servicing your area of the country, offers a green power program. As green power continues to surge in popularity, look out for even more utilities and states to get on board with the green power trend.

Plenty of other options support clean energy in the rare case that you can't purchase green power through your utility. Both RECs and carbon offsets are location-agnostic options, meaning they're available no matter where you live in the country. You can also install a solar power system on your own roof, which saves you money on your electricity bills.