NW Natural-Smart Energy

NW Natural has finally created a "green" option for their customers. They call it "Smart Energy." At the Farmer's Market this weekend they were handing out brochures. The first thing readers see (on the inside cover) is the saying "Together we can shape the future of our environment." Well said, a little idealistic but well said. It turns out NW Natural is working with the Climate Trust (from Portland, OR). The Climate Trust is a non-profit group working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. For at least $6/month customers can offset the carbon dioxide emissions created by using natural gas. NW Natural is focusing the money generated from the Smart Energy program on donations to biogas clean energy projects. According to NW Natural "A typical cow produces 120 pounds of waste each day. That's a lot of potential energy-and a lot of greenhouse gases when left untreated. Methane from manure is a 23 times more potent greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide." Converting manure into energy as been going on for over a decade but interest has not been high until the last 2-4 years, so not much development has occurred. Large-scale conversion has not been perfected, these donations will help to "perfect" conversion. My assumption is that this will make large-scale conversion cleaner and more efficient.

Three cheers for NW Natural for deciding to help green consumers make their homes a little greener.