SMUD's Carbon Offset program
Reduce your carbon footprint for just $10 a month
You are probably already taking actions to help the environment by recycling and turning off unneeded lights. But some impacts are difficult to avoid – like using your air conditioner or driving. Now, through SMUD's Carbon Offset program, you have the opportunity to reduce the effects of those things you just can't change.
Carbon dioxide (a greenhouse gas harmful for the environment) is produced from your daily activities. This includes the natural gas you use in your home, the gasoline used when you drive and fly, as well as the greenhouse gases produced in making the food you eat. The result is what's known as your "carbon footprint."
Join SMUD's carbon offset program
For just $10 a month (the amount needed to offset the average Sacramento footprint), you can support local projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This price also includes participation in SMUD's Greenergy® program which will provide your electricity from renewable energy sources.
Enroll today! Email your name, address, phone number and confirmation that you wish to be billed $10/month for the Carbon Offset program to LiveGreen@smud.org. It's as easy as tossing a can into the recycle bin.
It's more than a gesture - it really works!
SMUD's Carbon Offset Program follows guidelines set by the Climate Action Registry. An independent third party verifies all carbon offset amounts so you can be assured that your dollars are really helping the environment.
Offsets support our local economy
SMUD uses revenues to build carbon reduction projects locally, promoting "green" jobs in Sacramento. We recently completed a second dairy digester. Dairy digesters capture methane, a greenhouse gas 20 times more harmful than carbon dioxide, emitted from cow manure. The digester prevents the gas from being released into the atmosphere. The methane is then used to run a turbine to produce energy to power the dairy.
The bigger picture
Your participation in SMUD's Carbon Offset Program reduce your impact on the environment, creates and retains Sacramento jobs and improves the local air quality by supporting the development of innovative local emission reduction projects.
Carbon Offsets are just one piece of a larger puzzle though. We all need to conserve and implement energy efficiency measures, too. Recycling, using water wisely, and buying locally-produced food are all important actions to take to reduce your carbon emissions. Offsets are a good start as we begin to adjust to this changing energy climate, but ultimately, we need to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and become more efficient with our energy resources.
Use less, use wisely, use green
Conservation is the most effective way an individual can reduce global warming – drive less, conference call instead of flying and reduce electricity use during the peak hours of late afternoon and early evening.
Energy efficiency is the next best step. Make sure you install CFLs which use less energy than incandescent bulbs. SMUD offers a wide variety of customer rebates for energy efficient appliances, too.
Your participation in SMUD's Carbon Offset Program includes SMUD's Greenergy program which will provide your electricity from renewable energy sources such as wind, water and sun.
Remember use less, use wisely and use green!
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