Save The Bay, Green-e, People's Power & Light and Sun Power Electric combine forces to help consumers push for `green' energy.

Providence, RI - Save The Bay has joined forces with national clean energy group Green-e and local groups People's Power & Light and Sun Power Electric in a new partnership to promote the use of renewable energy in Rhode Island.

A goal of the collaboration is to make Rhode Islanders aware that they can influence how electricity is produced and push the industry toward more socially responsible and environmentally friendly forms of electrical generation.

"With this program, Rhode Islanders can now ensure their electricity dollars support power plants that provide a cleaner, healthier alternative for our environment - all while simultaneously supporting Save The Bay," said H. Curtis Spalding, executive director of Save The Bay. "It's a win, win situation for us all," Spalding continued.

Purchasing renewable energy certificates from People's Power & Light and Sun Power Electric - for as little as $5.25 a month - ensures a proportionate amount of "green" electricity is added to New England's power pool serving Rhode Island residents and businesses. Save The Bay will receive a direct contribution of $25 for every enrollment in the program through September 15, 2003.

The more people invest in renewable energy certificates, the more wind, solar and biomass (power from organic waste, such as landfill gas) is added to the power pool.

"Developing partnerships with groups like Save The Bay and others is a great way to join with others in educating consumers on the need for and availability of renewable energy," said Erich Stephens, executive director of People's Power & Light.

People's Power & Light is a non-profit energy cooperative based in Providence. Its first product offering was New England Wind, which utilizes the first commercial-scale wind turbine to go online on the East Coast -the Hull Wind Turbine in Massachusetts.

Sun Power Electric, based in Westborough, Mass., is a division of Conservation Services Group, a non-profit company dedicated to promoting energy efficiency, conserving resources and protecting the environment. Sun Power builds and operates solar power plants in the northeastern U.S. including one in Middletown, Rhode Island.

"When you purchase renewable energy certificates you are directly supporting the generators of cleaner, renewable resources in the regions where their power plants are located, and by helping to offset the added cost involved in generating these resources you will encourage and enable these generators to build new power plants," said Rachel Pinnons, Manager of Operations Development for Sun Power Electric.

Both suppliers' products have been certified by Green-e, a nationally recognized, voluntary certification program to help consumers identify superior renewable energy products and verify that certified products meet marketing claims.

"Save The Bay's approach to conservation is holistic for drawing attention to the need to shift to clean renewable electricity that protects local coastal ecosystems", said Gabe Petlin, Green-e Program Manager. "Green power is an environmental issue and we applaud Save The Bay members for taking up the cause."

The partnership came about when Save The Bay began exploring sustainable alternatives for the design and construction of its Explore The Bay Education Center at Fields Point in South Providence.

"This effort is a priority for Save The Bay because it addresses the importance of sustainable energy and provides our members with a way to actively support the generation of 'clean' electricity, thus reducing our reliance on fossil-fuel burning power plants," said Danielle Pedreira, Implementation Coordinator for the project. "This, in turn, reduces industrial pollution and other environmental and health related problems."

Conventionally generated electricity used to power homes and businesses is one of the largest sources of industrial air pollution. Power plants using fossil fuels are the largest single source of greenhouse gas emissions responsible for global warming, acid rain, smog and respiratory lung disease.

Supporting green power will make a significant difference to Rhode Island and the future health of Narragansett Bay.

Consider the Brayton Point Power Plant in Somerset, Massachusetts - New England's largest fossil fuel plant and single largest polluter of air and water. Brayton Point poses serious consequences for Narragansett Bay. Burning coal, it has consistently topped the list for air pollution emissions. Once emitted, such toxic metals can settle into the Bay and may then accumulate in fish and be passed to humans who eat them.

Brayton Point also has been implicated in the collapse of fisheries in Mount Hope Bay, which makes up the upper northeastern arm of Narragansett Bay. Fish populations there have declined by 87 percent since the mid-1980s.

"Save The Bay has led a campaign since 1995 to clean up Brayton Point and to eliminate these damaging practices. A new, stricter permit from EPA is expected this fall, but for now the pollution continues," said John Torgan, Save The Bay's Narragansett Baykeeper.

Supporting green power initiatives can also decrease the threat of oil spills.

"Rhode Island has seen a disproportionate share of oil spills, and since the mid-1990's, they have been extremely costly to people and the environment, harming our fragile coastline and the state's vital fishing and seafood industries," said Torgan.

Southern New England's most recent spill occurred April 27, 2003 when Bouchard Transportation Co.'s Barge #120 hit an obstacle in Buzzards Bay in Southeastern Massachusetts spewing some 98,000 gallons of oil into the Bay.

"The Buzzard's Bay spill is particularly poignant, as that oil was destined for a power plant and would have only provided a very small amount of energy had it arrived safely," said Erich Stephens of People's Power & Light. "Meanwhile an endless amount of wind blows cleanly and safely," he continued.

Save The Bay is urging all its members and constituents to support renewable energy alternatives. It has taken up numerous efforts to promote the partnership program via a mailing to nearly 6,000 members and volunteers, information on our Web site, and mention in our recent member newsletter. An informational booth was also set up at the recent annual Citizen's Bank/Save The Bay Swim and another is planned for the Newport Folk Festival this August.

For more information, contact John Martin at (401) 272-3540, ext. 131 and visit Save The Bay's Web site at www.savebay.org, People's Power & Light at www.ripower.org, Sun Power Electric at www.sunpower.org and Green-e at www.green-e.org/RI/.