Women need to know about energy consumption and pollution.
Now, for the first time, anyone with access to the Internet can
quickly and easily calculate the environmental consequences of
his or her own electricity use. The interactive "Electricity
Label Generator" is located on EDF's World Wide Web site at
www.edf.org; just click on "Energy," then on "Find Out About
Your Electricity." This easy-to-use computer program produces a
detailed set of environmental facts that are akin to the
"Nutrition Facts" included on every food label.
The Label Generator will prompt you to enter the dollar
amount of your average monthly electric bill and to click on
your location on a map of the United States. The computer then
shows you what kinds of power plants are used to generate your
electricity and how much pollution is produced.
You can also find additional information about electricity
generation technologies and their environmental impacts, and
learn about the exciting new "green" electricity options, such
as solar and wind power, that will be offered by an increasing
number of electric companies for their environmentally conscious
customers.
Customers Will Need the Facts To Make Wise Choices
Beginning January 1, 1998, customers in California, parts of
New England, and possibly other states will be able to choose
what company will provide their electricity. EDF's on-line
Electricity Label Generator demonstrates the kind of information
everyone can and should have to make responsible decisions about
electricity purchases, once they have a choice. EDF is asking
all electric companies to give their customers full information
about what kinds of power plants are used to generate their
electricity and how much pollution results. These details ought
to be provided on a standard, easy-to-read label included with
electricity bills, EDF believes.
"Information disclosure is not a new idea," notes Karl
Rabago, manager of EDF's energy program. "Already consumers get
far more information from snack food packages than they do from
their electric service provider. We believe this easy-to-use web
feature is a first step toward changing that."
Do you have web access? Try the Generator at
http://www.edf.org/programs/Energy/green_power/x_calculator.html
[Caption: These are the Electricity Facts that EDF's Electricity
Label Generator would calculate for a California residential
utility customer with a $65 per month electric bill--average for
the state. Residents of other states and regions would see a diff
erent mix of sources and emissions.]
[Caption: Wind power is one of the "green" energy options that
will be offered by an increasing number of electricity companies
to environmentally concerned customers.]
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More info:
http://www.edf.org/
_____________________________________________________________
(c) Copyright 1997 by Environmental Defense Fund, New York,
New York.
All rights reserved. Editor: Norma H. Watson
ISSN0163-2566 Associate Editor: Tim Connor
ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE FUND ---EDF MEMBERSHIP LINES---
National Headquarters Phone: 202-387-3525
257 Park Avenue South Fax: 202-234-6049
New York, NY 10010 Internet: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
212-505-2100
