carbon dioxide

Burning fossil fuels releases carbon that has been stored underground for millions of years into the atmosphere. During the combustion process, the carbon in these fossil fuels is transformed into carbon dioxide, the predominant gas contributing to the greenhouse effect. While carbon dioxide is absorbed and released at nearly equal rates by natural processes on the Earth, this equilibrium may be disrupted when large amounts of carbon dioxide are released to the atmosphere by human activities, such as the burning of fossil fuels.

carbon footprint

This is an assessment of the impact you or your organization have on the environment, measured in metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions from activities such as driving, flying and indoor energy use. Our online carbon calculator estimates your carbon footprint.

carbon neutral

Shifting to carbon neutral is a 3 step process that involves energy efficiency, renewable energy and carbon offsets. Being carbon neutral involves calculating your total carbon emissions, reducing them where possible, and then balancing your remaining emissions, often by purchasing renewable energy and direct carbon offsets.

carbon offsets

Businesses or individuals can use these to reduce their carbon footprints. Sources of carbon offsets include renewable energy, forestry credits, methane capture and energy-efficiency projects.

climate change

Many scientists believe that greenhouse gas emissions from human activities, such as electricity production using fossil fuels, is causing global temperatures to trend upward. Greater use of energy-efficiency measures, renewable energy and projects that do not contribute greenhouse gas emissions (such as carbon dioxide) are all recognized as ways to slow or mitigate the greenhouse gas buildup.

commodity electricity

This is generic electricity that powers homes and businesses. Commodity electricity can come from conventional or renewable power sources, where the environmental attributes have been sold separately as renewable energy certificates.

conventional power

Also known as traditional power, conventional power is electricity produced from non-renewable fuels such as coal, oil, nuclear and gas. Although it is renewable, large hydro often falls into this category because its impacts on fish and wildlife habitats are not considered “green”.

disclosure label

Much like a nutrition label, the disclosure label (also known as a Product Content Label), shows a provider's generation type in a standardized format. The label may also include prices, terms of contracts with customers, air emissions and labor practices. Green-e requires all marketers to provide end-use customers with a Product Content Label. Some states also require standard disclosure labels.

emissions

This is the release of a substance, such as carbon dioxide, into the atmosphere.

energy efficiency

Energy efficiency is the first step to climate neutrality and involves using less energy to accomplish the same task, resulting in fewer emissions and lower costs. Businesses and individuals can easily improve energy efficiency by switching to compact fluorescent lighting or adjusting thermostats. Businesses can also turn to Sterling Planet for White Tags™ energy efficiency certificates.

energy efficiency certificates

Also known as Sterling Planet White Tags™, these certificates place a monetary value on energy savings. Each certificate represents one megawatt hour of electricity savings. Sterling Planet works with businesses and universities to monetize their energy savings as White Tags™, which can then be retained by the originator or sold in the voluntary, mandated and carbon markets. See “what we do” to learn more.

environmentally superior product

An energy product is considered environmentally superior if it has a greater proportion of renewable energy and lower greenhouse gas emissions per kilowatt hour than conventional power.

forest sequestration

Because trees remove or sequester carbon dioxide during their life spans, it follows that planting trees can serve to lower greenhouse gas levels over time. Carbon offsets from forest sequestration or tree-planting projects represent the environmental benefits that trees naturally provide.

fossil fuels

Most US electricity production (about 70%) uses fossil fuels - natural gas, oil, coal, petroleum coke or other petroleum-based fuels. The get their name from their origins as the decayed remains of prehistoric plants and animals. Fossil fuels are non-renewable and in limited supply. They all contain carbon. When combusted to make electricity, they create carbon dioxide, a leading greenhouse gas.

Green America™

This is Sterling Planet’s Green-e certified renewable energy certificate product, available to businesses and individuals nationwide. A blend of wind, solar and bioenergy, Green America™ is available by online signup to residential and small business customers. Corporations and universities can contact us for a customized proposal.

greenhouse gases

These are heat-trapping gases in the Earth’s atmosphere that produce the greenhouse effect. Changes in the concentration of certain greenhouse gases, due to human activity such as fossil fuel burning, increase the risk of global climate change. Greenhouse gases include water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, halogenated fluorocarbons, ozone, perfluorinated carbons, and hydrofluorocarbons.

green power purchasing

Sterling Planet offers renewable energy through direct marketing and in agreement with various electric utilities. Individuals and organizations can choose our Green America™ Renewable Energy Certificates in all 50 states. Alternatively, Sterling Planet provides renewable power to utility customers in the Northeast, Florida and elsewhere. Corporations, universities or others who need a tailored solution may contact us for a customized proposal.

kilowatt hour

A kilowatt hour (kWh) is the standard unit of measure for electricity. One kilowatt hour is equal to 1,000 watt hours. The total number of kilowatt hours charged to your bill is determined by your electricity use. For example, if you used a 100-watt light bulb for 10 hours, you would be billed for one kilowatt hour (100 watts x 10 hours = 1,000 watt-hours). The average home in the United States uses 938 kWh per month.

megawatt hour

One thousand kilowatt hours. Each Renewable Energy Certificate represents one megawatt hour.

metric ton

Equal to about 2,205 pounds, a metric ton is the universal standard of measurement for carbon dioxide emissions.

new renewables

Only new renewables are eligible to meet Green-e standards. The term "new" is defined to include any eligible renewable facility beginning operation or repowered after January 1, 1997.

renewable energy certificate

Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) are created when a renewable energy facility generates electricity. Each unique certificate represents all of the environmental attributes or benefits of a specific quantity of renewable generation, namely the benefits that everyone receives when conventional fuels, such as coal, nuclear, oil, or gas, are displaced. What you pay for when you buy renewable energy certificates is the benefit of displacing other non-renewable sources from the electric grid.