Climate Change Actions—
Alternative Energy for Your Home

Renewable Energy Using Your Current Electricity Provider
You can incorporate renewable energy into your home through your own electricity provider: Connecticut Light & Power and United Illuminating offer several options.  These include:

• CL&P and UI offer a program called Sterling Select, which uses a diverse mix of renewable energy from wind, water and organic bioenergy in the form of landfill gas, for about 25¢ a day. Click here for more information.
• Use a mix of 50% NewWind Energy and 50% Landfill Gas. To switch, click here  Select the “Welcome Connecticut Customers!” link.
• Other options exist. To learn more about what is offered by your electricity provider, contact them and ask how you can support renewable energy while continuing to use their services. It’s fast and easy and you don’t change a thing inside your home.  Companies will respond to this market by building more green energy production if people demand it.

Tradable Renewable Certificates
TRCs or "green tags" are created when a renewable energy facility generates electricity. Each unique certificate represents all of the environmental attributes or benefits of a specific quantity of renewable generation, namely the benefits that everyone receives when conventional fuels, such as coal, nuclear, oil, or gas, are displaced.

You usually buy certificates from someone other than your electricity provider. What you pay for when you buy renewable energy certificates is the benefit of displacing other non-renewable sources from the regional or national electric grid. Click here for more information on TRC’s in Connecticut and where to purchase them.

Alternative Power Sources
Alternative power sources for home electricity such as solar energy, wind energy and water turbines have become increasingly popular, because they reduce greenhouse gas emissions, reduce pollution and can supply backup power in times of emergency to secure your family’s basic needs such as heat, water and refrigeration. 

• Government subsidies and tax breaks exist. Click here for information.
• Click here for more alternative energy source products. 
• Local chains such as Home Depot will install solar power systems in your home: Click here for HomeDepot.com. Under Services & Resources, select “Installation Services.” Then under Exterior Services, select “Solar Power Systems.”

Efficient Lights and Appliances
Surprisingly large energy savings are available by converting to very energy efficient lighting and appliances.