United States
I’ll do it, but only if you’ll help

Pledge “Electric”

"I will go to the hassle of switching to a renewable electricity supplier but only if 1,000 other people will do the same."

— Tom Steinberg, Director mySociety.org

Deadline to sign up by: 9th July 2007
175 people signed up, 825 more were needed

More details
I have had a couple of half hearted tries to overcome both my inertia and the paperwork required to make this change. If 1000 other people sign up, I'll really believe it is worth it. Go on!

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Comments on this pledge

  • This article from the online magazine _The Ecologist_ shows that not all green electricity companies are the same. In fact, switching to a 100% green electricity supplier may not end up being as green as switching to a supplier that sources some electricity from non-renewables but spends more on building renewable power sources such as wind turbines:

    http://www.ecotricity.co.uk/acrobat/Jere...
    Tim Waugh, 5 years ago. Abusive? Report it!
  • I changed to Good Energy a couple of weeks ago, so I don't really qualify for the pledge, but it was pretty much zero-hassle - the vast majority of it can be done online in one brief session.
  • Great idea - if only we'd all just switch off from the grid...

    James.
  • I signed up on a green electricity tarrif sometime last year... This pledge has made me think to have a check with my electric company, to see how my money has been used to date!

    Btw, it's not a hassle changing to a green tarrif
    Miranda (panda), 5 years ago. Abusive? Report it!
  • Tim - indeed there are many different ways that investment can be channelled, not just switching - there hasn't been nearly enough investment in the sector yet. We've a long way to go to "change the world" but it's one step at a time. Click here to start...
    gavin, 5 years ago. Abusive? Report it!
  • Switch to Ecotricity now!

    It only takes 5 minutes:

    http://www.ecotricity.co.uk/switch/
  • Switching is NOT a hassle and EVERYONE should do it regardless!
  • Ecotricity?! They supply approximately 25% renewable energy. How can that be better than companies that offer a solution - cut out all your emissions from your electricity consumption. Plus, the Ecologist article was entirely based on evidence provided by Ecotricity...no wonder they came out the best! Ecotricity does not invest in turbines - the company that they stemmed from does, go to:

    http://www.nexgenwind.com
    James Williams, 5 years ago. Abusive? Report it!
  • I would recommend Ecotricity - I switched to them a year ago. Their service was and has been excellent - and it takes no time at all www.ecotricity.co.uk - Just getting 100% renewable electrity is not as important as what your supplier invests in new build. Ecotricity invest all their profits in new renewable energy - they don't just buying up old green supply which changes nothing.
    Martin Ashby, 5 years ago. Abusive? Report it!
  • It's easy peasy, I've done it at ecotricity !
    nigel seymour, 5 years ago. Abusive? Report it!
  • While I wait to change to a renewable electricity supplier, I have started installing a 1000 Watt solar system at my home in Sydney, Australia. Then you REALLY know you are getting clean energy! Everyone should install a system they can afford - just start with one panel.
    Erland Howden, 5 years ago. Abusive? Report it!
  • Ecotricity is fine, but don't be fooled because you are only getting about 30% renewable electricity. Good Energy offer 100% which is my preference and why I recommend them to all of my friends. The Ecologist article is not what it seems if you ask the sort of questions I did - especially why was Ecotricity its only source. Both companies are good but be sure you know what you're getting. I would only settle for 100%.
    Judy M., 5 years ago. Abusive? Report it!
  • I feel I should plug my employer at this point — www.uSwitch.com/Energy has the option to show you only Green energy suppliers... :o)
    Owen Blacker, 5 years ago. Abusive? Report it!
  • 2006 Annual Progress Report from Ecotricity:

    http://www.ecotricity.co.uk/ezine/200609...

    "Ecotricity last year invested more per customer in new renewable energy than all the other electricity suppliers in the UK put together."

    Oh, and Good Energy? They invested £0.00 per customer (nothing, to the nearest penny) in new renewable energy production.
    Tim Waugh, 5 years ago. Abusive? Report it!
  • I'd like to switch, but I don't think that I can change energy suppliers since I live in an apartment building.
  • try http://www.climatefriendly.com
    not any paperwork involved at all
    Daniel, 5 years ago. Abusive? Report it!
  • It is worth noting, having looked at that report, that Ecotricity supplied more electricity from nuclear power in 2005 than they did from renewable.
    Judy M., 5 years ago. Abusive? Report it!
  • I switched to Good Energy 3 weeks ago and it was incredibly easy - just one (free) phonecall to a real (and v friendly and helpful) human being who really loved her job and the Good Energy company. Do it today!
    Char, 5 years ago. Abusive? Report it!
  • I switched to Ecotricity earlier in the year - I changed online using uswitch and it was hassle free. They've given me no trouble since I've been with them, and my bills have decreased. I'm now paying an average of £13 per month! I don't know if the Ecologist are biased towards Ecotricity as some people have mentioned, but I went for it because their 'Old Energy' tariff was highly recommended by Friends of the Earth.
    Isabel, 5 years ago. Abusive? Report it!
  • I switched some time ago but I've still pledged - does that count?
    Jamie Woolley, 5 years ago. Abusive? Report it!
  • There was a program on radio 4 explaining that all energy companies legally have to use 5.5% renewables. Some companies have only set up green tariffs so they can sell this 5.5% at a higher price.

    If you want to make sure that more renewable energy is actually being put into the grid you need to find a company that source all its energy from renewables.
    ssam, 5 years ago. Abusive? Report it!
  • I signed the pledge: I realize, however, that the foreseeable potential for all renewable energy sources combined is still only a fraction of that produced by fossil energy. Alternative energy sources must be developed nonetheless for the energy viability of future generations, and just in case mankind really is tipping the balance with the carbon cycle. For me, signing the pledge just encourages me in my goal to own an energy self-sufficient home someday soon.
  • I switched to an alternative source, luckily that was easily available in our area so that helped ;) Good luck with the petition!
  • If you have a look at http://www.fuelmix.co.uk you will be able to see the fuel mix for every supplier and whats more actually carry out a comparison and see how much CO2 you can save by changing supplier
  • I switched this week to Good Energy. It took no time at all, there is virtually no paperwork, just a form you fill in on line and a meter reading to send in!

    Have a look at my experiences on:
    http://www.planetgoat.com
  • Having just written a dissertation on the subject I would summarise as follows:

    If you think investing in renewable energy capacity for the future is the most important aspect, switch to Ecotricity.

    If you think using renewable energy to reduce emissions now is the most important aspect, switch to Good Energy

    There's little point in switching to a "Big 6" green tariff as only SSE have reached its renewables obligation - therefore these tariffs are more a PR exercise than anything else.
    Elizabeth Ward, 4 years ago. Abusive? Report it!
  • Tim - indeed there are many different ways that investment can be channelled, not just switching - there hasn't been nearly enough investment in the sector yet. We've a long way to go to "change the world" but it's one step at a time. Click here to start... - i fully agree!
  • Elizabeth Ward - I'd be very interested to read a copy of your thesis - would you be able to send me one if I give you my email address?
    Ben Middleton, 4 years ago. Abusive? Report it!
  • In response to a comment below, There are many many switching companies - eg billscutter.co.uk, simply switch, money-angels etc. uswitch is just one of very many switching companies.
  • Just done it! I used www.billscutter.co.uk and switched both to green energy and cheaper electricity!
    lesley Whittle, 4 years ago. Abusive? Report it!
  • I don't think that I can change energy suppliers since I live in an apartment building.
  • If you switch to ecotricy, then you must use their "New Energy Plus" tariff otherwise you will end up supporting nuclear generation.

    I switched to Good Energy who only offer a 100% renewables tariff and were ranked in top tier when Friends of the Earth produced their league table.
    Kevin Walters, 4 years ago. Abusive? Report it!
  • DEAR SIR
    GREETINGS
    LOGIC-CO IS AN ENVIRONMENTAL COMPANY HAS
    RENEWABLE ENERGY: ELECTRICITY.EXTRACTED FROM THE LIGHTNING:
    THE RATE OF LIGHTNING IS 100 FLASH PER SECOND ALLOVER THE GLOBE. IF USA HAS 1% OF THE TOTAL FLASHES THIS MEANS 1 FLASH PER SECOND.
    FOR YOUR KNOWLEDGE, ONE FLASH = 4 STROKES.
    EACH STROKE HAS (10)^12 WATT.
    THIS MEANS : WHEN LOGIC-CO SUCCEEDS TO GET ONE FLASH ,AND TRANSFORM IT TO ELECTRICITY == THAT IS EQUAL TO A POWER STATION 0F 20 MW WORKS FOR 50 HOURS CONTINOUSELY.
    IMAGEN IF WE COULD TRANSFORM ONE FLASH PER MINIUTE ALLOVER USA.
    IN THAT TIME NO NEED FOR ANY FUEL COMBUSTION THAT POLLUTES THE ENVIRONMENT.

    NOW LOGIC-CO IS SEEKING A PARTENER IN USA TO CLEAN THE ENVIRONMENT, PRODUCING FRIENDLY ENVIRO-ELECTRICITY.

    DEAR SIR,
    IF YOU ARE INTERESTING, PLEASE, DON'T HESITATE TO E-MAIL LOGIC- CO:
    TEL & FAX: 00202 24322655 -
    MOBILE: 012 3358572
    E-MAIL: logic_co@hotmail.com ,
    logicenvironment@yahoo.ca
    MAIN OFFICE:
    6TH B BAHST BADIA ST(SAUDIA BUILDINGS)
    SHOBRA 11241
    CAIRO
    EGYPT.
    FARID FAHIM, 4 years ago. Abusive? Report it!
This pledge is closed for new comments.

Current signatories (Green text = they've done it)

Tom Steinberg, the Pledge Creator, joined by:

  • Tim Waugh
  • Tim Cowlishaw
  • Diggory
  • Caroline Bailey
  • oliver
  • James
  • Tim Morley
  • Mad Goldfish
  • Catriona
  • Tisa Smith
  • gavin
  • chris smith
  • Joanna Crowson
  • Simon
  • Saffron James
  • Tim Davies
  • Jennifer Lauruol
  • Owais Rajput
  • Robert Shand
  • ali thomas
  • nigel seymour
  • Eivind Kjorstad
  • Christopher Marshall
  • Sophie Shaw
  • Dom Collier
  • Shane McCracken
  • Sam Dowling
  • Mac Ince
  • Kate Wilder
  • Sandie Seward
  • Toby Bridgeman
  • Tom Loosemore
  • Rod MacPherson
  • Peter Brown
  • Amias Channer
  • martin
  • Kris
  • Mary Katherine
  • Wm. (Bill) D. Hodges
  • Becks Hill
  • Simon Bradford
  • Michelle Oxley
  • Hannah LK Smith
  • Scott Jacobs-Lange
  • Stella E
  • Alexei Diaz-Paz
  • Erland Howden
  • Aaron Pettigrew
  • Basheera Khan
  • J Thomas
  • Leanne
  • Chris Nillesen
  • Luci Briginshaw
  • Euan
  • Tom Raggett
  • Tony Dunlop
  • Tom Campbell
  • John Thacker
  • Laura Burgess
  • Mithra Cox
  • Cate
  • Severin Toberer
  • phat da cat
  • Jonathan Harbourne
  • Jenni
  • Daniel
  • Gerard Smith
  • richard smith
  • Nick Taylor
  • Jeremy
  • Matt Kenigson
  • Tom Allen
  • omar jebari
  • Jamie Woolley
  • Steve Cooke
  • Joseph Buirski
  • Britt Toksvig Jorgensen
  • Luke Flegg
  • Danny Staple
  • Rocket Rant
  • Claire
  • Sarah Cannon
  • Steve Jalim
  • Daniel Coan
  • Eric Oppel
  • fernanda ferretti
  • Emily Arch
  • Jamie Dobson
  • ssam
  • Michelle Tydeman
  • Paul Waring
  • Louise Evans
  • Ben Miller
  • Gill Pettitt
  • Damon L. Hoppe
  • Andy Buckley
  • Adrian Wargate
  • Nick Peers
  • Simon Kirby
  • Leona Harrison-D'Arcy
  • Simon McAlister
  • Peter Gradwell
  • Simon Willison
  • nanette mercer
  • Simon Roe
  • Ceri Lou Morrison
  • Anne Bailey
  • Neil Janman
  • rob thorburn
  • Gabriel Berry
  • Diana Esguerra
  • Chris Callard
  • Christopher Strangeways
  • Barnaby Harris
  • BOP Ltd
  • James Hardy
  • Richard Robbins
  • Andre Cymbalista
  • Sita Loi
  • Ken Geddes
  • Sunnz
  • Will Davies
  • Vikki Roberts
  • Ying Wu
  • Dawn Holroyd
  • Vicky Chanin
  • Jon Ramvi
  • Elizabeth Ward
  • Ben Middleton
  • Toby Radcliffe
  • Nigel Miller
  • John Grant
  • Sarah Tuttle
  • Mark Ellison
  • clare
  • Elizabeth Cotton
  • Simon Mallett
  • Max Wurr
  • Alekĉjo
  • Brad Jensen
  • Malcolm harbrow
  • Katarina
  • lesley whittle
  • Gareth Jenkins
  • Matthew Smerdon
  • Emily Kenway
  • Mita Williams
  • Marcus T
  • David Jones
  • Lucie
  • Steve Cayzer
  • Emma Sheppard
  • Jock Scott
  • Michelle Barber
  • Cass Chideock
  • Alex Gillan
  • Concerned Resident
  • S Mackey
  • Emily Palmer
  • 16 people who did not want to give their names

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