Green Energy Makes Green Money

Jacob’s Thoughts – Listed below are my random thoughts as I was reading this article.

• @ Choosing a green energy supplier in the United States – 
• Great article here! It’s always good to think about how we, as consumers and citizens, can reduce our carbon footprint, but not necessarily have the reduction come at the detriment of our living situation.
• As far as I know, in the United States, when you live in a certain place, you do not actually have an option as to what energy supplier you use for your electricity. There is only one electricity supplier in each area. In this sense, the electricity companies have what I have heard called a “necessary monopoly.”
• So, if your energy company is not practicing “green” techniques, you are unfortunately stuck with that one supplier. 
• However, I have heard that many energy companies these days are offering incentives to install green appliances and light-bulbs.
• @ Is green energy actually cheaper than fossil fuel energy?
• I haven’t done an in-depth analysis on this topic/question in general (I’ve only looked at whether green cars and recycled paper are cheaper than their non-renewable counterparts), so I’m very curious to get everyone’s feedback! 
• The last I had heard on the news and from reports on technological innovations, green energy actually is more expensive than regular fossil fuel energy. And, in many cases, it can be MUCH MORE expensive, especially for solar energy since the energy efficiency conversion is fairly low. 
• Going along with this, I have heard that the only time that green energy offers a cost savings is when the government offers incentives in the way of tax credits or deductions for making green purchases.
• In the US at least, I have been hearing that the incentives for using green energy/appliances have been less and less widely supported since the economy has been doing badly. 
• Even though I personally believe very strongly in green living and of the importance of reducing carbon footprints, the fact of the matter is that we will not realize conversion of the majority of the population from fossil fuel-based energy to green energy until it becomes economically beneficial (or at least economically equivalent) to do so.
• In my opinion, I see this either being achieved by fossil fuel prices continuing to rise or by advancing renewable energy technology to the point where it is more efficient.
• Does anyone have better knowledge of the current “green energy economic climate” with tax incentives, etc? If so, do you know if green energy and household appliances are economically beneficially to use compared to traditional fossil fuels?

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