How to Switch to Renewable Energy in Pennsylvania

In March 2020, I switched to renewable electricity, and I'm sticking with it. Specifically, my electricity is powered by wind energy.
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Per capita, I added (not to confuse with used) more than 2,400 kWh (2,480) to the grid in that time. According to my supplier's annual review, that's the equivalent of:

• More than 3,750 pounds of carbon pollution (3,753) diverted.
• 28 trees planted.
• And 0.4 cars removed from the road.

So, there you have it:

The world is mine.

What surprised me was my year-on-year use of electric power in January, the month of highest use. It was almost 40 percent less kWh (39) in January 2021 than in January 2020.

In Pennsylvania, you can choose what company supplies your electricity. Unless you choose otherwise, your utility company is your supplier as well. However, you can shop around for a better rate on natural gas (Read/Read/Read the fine print), or switch to renewable energy (solar, wind, blended, etc.). Your utility company doesn't change, so your bill comes from your utility company. That's because the supplier uses the utility company's pipes and other infrastructure to distribute its natural gas or renewable energy.

Think of your utility company as a Walmart, Target, or regional superstore. The superstore (utility company) doesn't change because it stocks different brands of hand sanitizer (supplies/suppliers). Nor does it stop selling its store brand of hand sanitizer (natural gas).

It took five months (after my info request in Nov. 2019) before I decided to deal with a supplier, and therefore the switch to wind energy. Fortunately, my supplier has flexible terms -- namely, no contract and no termination fee.

If you're in Pennsylvania and you're interested in electricity from renewable energy, visit oca.state.pa.us or papowerswitch.com for suppliers.

Or send me a message via the contact page if you want to know what supplier I use.

Note: Figures updated with March 31 report.

Sun shining in the sky (Credit: "Sun" by gr33n3gg)

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Jubalyn ExWilliams lives in Pennsylvania (United States). You can find her writings and commentaries, including "How to Switch to Renewable Energy in Pennsylvania," at landturn.com/blog.

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Related: How to Switch to Renewable Energy in Pennsylvania, II (2021)
Related: Nord Stream 2 overlooked by Rikin in "The Green New Deal" (2019)
Related: Environmental Committee: Harrisburg Fire Department (Sept. 2021)
Related: Environmental Committee: Renewable Energy Suppliers in Pa. (Nov. 2021)
Related: Environmental Committee: Black History Month - Former EPA Whistleblower  (Feb. 2022)
Related: "Confessions of a Rogue Nuclear Regulator" (Jaczko) (2025)
Related: How Walmart can save shopping malls (2019)

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