If You Can't Install Solar Panels...

Who says that to be green you have to spend thousands of dollars installing solar panels on your roof? Many electricity companies offer green power alternatives. For a few extra dollars per month, all of your energy can be from green power sources like wind, hydro, and photovoltaic. This means that for less than the cost of a daily cup of coffee, with a simple telephone call you can buy green energy without having to mortgage the house to install solar panels on your home.

In Kennebunk, ME, the Village Green program allows customers to purchase 100 kW-hr blocks for only $1 per month. That adds only 1 cent per kW to my energy bill. Our family buys 6 blocks at $6 per month to cover most of our base electrical load.

If you are a customer of Kennebunk Light and Power (which is a non-profit), visit their website (currently under construction) or send an e-mail to sastaz@klpd.org to sign up for this program.
If you are a customer of Central Maine Power or Bangor Hydro, the Maine Energy Investment Corp. has an overview of similar options at their website.

In my opinion, this is the easiest and cheapest way to begin to reduce your "carbon footprint" and help to make a clean, renewable energy future a reality.