As we head into the new year, we are so grateful for our customers and our team for making it possible to create such a positive impact by using Provision’s CarbonBetter^® energy supply.

Home energy use accounts for roughly 20% of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States (PNAS, 2020), but Provision customers are working to change that. In this post, we’ll recap the highlights of the impact we’ve made together in 2023.

How Our Customers Make a Difference – Automatically

Before we review our customers’ impact in 2023, let’s review how Provision customers can make a positive impact every time they use energy at home:

For each area, impact is calculated based on our customers’ billings in the impact month, but planting, funding, and offsetting may not happen in that month. These activities must align with planting seasons and project life cycles to be effective.

How Much Renewable Electricity Provision Customers Have Funded

Provision customers have funded 111,981,000 kWh of clean energy generation since October 2020! That’s enough to power over 12,000 homes for an entire year!

Renewable Energy Credits Explained

100% renewable electricity is included automatically in every Provision electricity supply plan, and we use renewable energy certificates, or RECs, to deliver on our clean energy promise.

Homes are connected to the power grid by transmission lines, and the electricity that’s supplied is derived from a variety of generation resources, both renewable and non-renewable. This is because when clean energy is generated and put on the grid, it’s mixed with other fuel sources there, making it difficult for environmentally conscious consumers to supply their homes with 100% clean energy.

Provision customers ensure more clean energy is put on the grid by funding renewable generators through the purchase of RECs. Provision carefully selects projects like those featured in this 2023 Impact Update to ensure that the steps we take today help build a better future.

Here are details about a few of the projects we supported in 2023.

Foote Creek I Project

The Foote Creek I Project in Wyoming, operational since 2009, is a wind farm developed by Invenergy LLC. With 60 turbines generating 41.4 MW, it’s capable of powering approximately 15,417 homes. This project significantly contributes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, equivalent to removing about 40,000 cars from the road annually. By purchasing Renewable Energy Credits for this project, Provision has supported the generation of clean, renewable electricity and played a vital role in advancing Wyoming’s renewable energy landscape. The Foote Creek I Project exemplifies a successful blend of environmental sustainability and local economic enhancement.

Stateline Wind Project

The Stateline Wind Project, located in Umatilla County, Oregon, is a significant onshore wind energy facility with a combined peak generating capacity of 222 megawatts (MW). Developed by FPL Energy Vansycle LLC, this project encompasses two operational units and is equipped with a total of 228 wind turbines. It plays a vital role in generating clean, renewable energy for the region, enough to power approximately 177,000 households. This project not only contributes to reducing the local community’s carbon footprint but also stimulates economic growth through job creation and increased tax revenue for local governments. The Stateline Wind Project is an exemplary model of harnessing wind power to produce clean energy, while also demonstrating a commitment to minimizing environmental impact and supporting wildlife conservation.

The Klondike Wind Power Project

The Klondike Wind Power Project, a 399.1 Megawatt (MW) onshore wind farm located in Oregon, USA, was developed by Avangrid Renewables. Commissioned in December 2001, this project generates clean and renewable energy for the region, enough to power 115,000 households. The wind farm, developed in multiple phases, features various turbine models, including GE Renewable Energy and Siemens Gamesa turbines. These turbines convert wind energy into electricity, contributing significantly to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and decreasing reliance on fossil fuels. The project not only supports sustainable energy but also provides economic benefits, creating jobs and offering income opportunities for local farmers and landowners. Additionally, the Klondike Wind Power Project has a minimal impact on wildlife and habitat, making it an environmentally responsible energy source.

Condon Wind Power Project

The Condon Wind Power Project, located in Gilliam County, Oregon, is a 49.8 megawatts (MW) wind farm developed by AES SeaWest and owned by ALLETE Clean Energy. Comprising 83 MWT-600 wind turbines, each with a capacity of 0.6 MW, the project supplies clean energy to approximately 11,000 homes. Provision’s purchase of Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) for this project contributes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by an estimated 152,000 metric tons annually. The project uses advanced wind turbine technology connected to the power grid, optimizing energy production through real-time data and control systems. In addition to generating renewable energy, the Condon Wind Power Project offers economic benefits to the local community, including job creation and revenue through lease agreements and taxes. It also plays a role in improving grid reliability and serves as an educational resource for renewable energy.

Grand Coulee Dam

The Grand Coulee Dam, located in Washington State, is a monumental hydroelectric facility producing 6,480 megawatts (MW) of electricity. As the largest hydroelectric power producer in the United States and the third-largest globally, it plays a pivotal role in energy generation. Owned and operated by the US Bureau of Reclamation, the dam features six turbines generating 3,900 MW, with a daily contribution of around 110,000 MWh of energy. Provision’s support through Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) enhances this clean energy source’s impact. The Grand Coulee Dam operates by channeling water from the Columbia River through penstocks to turbines, generating electricity efficiently distributed to homes and businesses. Besides energy production, the dam offers flood control, bolsters local economies through job creation, and attracts tourists, providing various recreational and educational opportunities. Its role as a peaking facility ensures reliable electricity supply during high-demand periods.

Bonneville Dam

The Bonneville Dam G1 project, located on the Columbia River near Portland, Oregon, is a key hydroelectric power generation facility within the larger Bonneville Dam complex. Managed by the US Army Corps of Engineers, the powerhouse, completed in 1937, features ten generators with a total output capacity of 526.7 MW. This project plays a crucial role in providing renewable, low-cost power to the Pacific Northwest region, contributing significantly to the stability of the regional power grid. Provision’s purchase of Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) for the Bonneville Dam G1 project supports the growth of renewable energy and helps offset carbon emissions. The facility operates by channeling water through penstocks to turbines, generating electricity efficiently distributed across the region. In addition to renewable energy production, the Bonneville Dam G1 project supports regional grid stability and creates employment opportunities, furthering economic development in the Pacific Northwest.

Chief Joseph Dam

The Chief Joseph Dam, located in Bridgeport, Washington on the Columbia River, is a significant hydropower facility managed by the United States Army Corps of Engineers. Authorized in 1945, the dam serves multiple purposes, including hydropower generation and irrigation. The dam, a run-of-river type project, stands 236 feet high and stretches 5,962 feet long. Its powerhouse, completed in phases, has a generation capacity of 2,069 megawatts (MW) and a hydraulic capacity of 219,000 cubic feet per second (cfs). The Chief Joseph Dam is instrumental in generating renewable energy, contributing significantly to the region’s power supply. It also plays a vital role in water quality maintenance and offers recreational activities around Rufus Woods Lake. The dam’s operation includes diverting water from the Columbia River into a forebay, which then flows through turbines in the powerhouse, generating electricity. This project not only supports sustainable energy production but also enhances local economic growth and environmental stewardship.

Cougar Dam

Cougar Dam, completed in 1963 in Oregon, is a hydroelectric dam with a powerhouse generating 25 megawatts of electric power. The dam, standing 519 feet tall, creates the Cougar Reservoir with a storage capacity of 219,000 acre-feet. It works in tandem with the Blue River Dam to manage flooding, having prevented an estimated $452 million in flood damages. The dam features a rock-fill embankment, penstock, emergency spillway, and a regulating outlet. The hydroelectric power is generated by channeling water from the reservoir through turbines in the powerhouse. In addition to flood control and power generation, Cougar Dam contributes to water quality improvement, irrigation for agriculture, and habitat preservation for fish and wildlife. This multi-purpose infrastructure project significantly impacts the surrounding communities and ecosystems, providing essential resources and supporting local agriculture and natural habitats.

Lookout Point Dam

The Lookout Point Dam, a federal-owned structure on the Middle Fork Willamette River in Oregon, was completed in 1954. This earth and gravel-filled dam, featuring concrete gated spillways, stands 193 feet tall and spans 6,100 feet. It has a reservoir covering 4,291 acres and three generating units with a combined capacity of 120 megawatts (MW). The dam serves multiple purposes, including flood risk management, water quality improvement, irrigation, hydroelectric power generation, fish and wildlife habitat, and recreation.

Operating as part of the Willamette River Basin Flood Control Project, the Lookout Point Dam regulates the flow of the Middle Fork Willamette River, reducing the risk of flooding in nearby areas. It also provides a dependable source of water for irrigation, supporting the region’s agricultural economy. The hydroelectric power generated by the dam contributes to a sustainable electricity supply, diminishing the region’s dependence on fossil fuels. Additionally, the reservoir is a hub for recreational activities and promotes outdoor recreation and tourism in the area. The dam’s role in improving water quality and preserving local ecosystems further underscores its significance in the region.

Palisades Dam

The Palisades Dam, a significant federal asset on the Snake River in Idaho, is an impressive earthfill structure completed in the mid-20th century. Managed by the Bureau of Reclamation, the dam features intricate spillways and control mechanisms, playing a crucial role in regional water management and environmental conservation. The reservoir, spanning a vast area, is instrumental in flood control, irrigation, hydroelectric power generation, and recreation.

After an update in 1994, the powerplant at Palisades Dam contributes 176,600 kilowatts to the local grid, marking a significant advancement in sustainable energy utilization. The dam regulates water flow in the Snake River, ensuring safety against floods and water availability during dry spells. It also houses a hydroelectric facility with a capacity of 176,600 kilowatts, powering numerous homes and industries with renewable energy.

The Palisades Dam offers extensive benefits, including flood control, irrigation support, hydroelectric power generation, recreational opportunities, and environmental conservation. It demonstrates a commitment to ecological health, with initiatives like the fish screen on Palisades Creek protecting local aquatic life. The dam is more than just a structure; it embodies a commitment to future generations through its multifaceted role in flood control, power generation, and environmental stewardship.

Northfield Mountain 1 & 4 Hydroelectricity Project

Northfield Mountain, operational since 1972 in Massachusetts, is a pumped-storage hydroelectric facility managed by FirstLight Power Resources. This facility, featuring an underground power station and a 300-acre reservoir, is integral to energy management and environmental conservation in the region. It specializes in energy storage, hydroelectric power generation, and maintaining grid stability, contributing significantly to the local grid and supporting the region’s transition towards renewable energy.

The facility operates by storing energy during low-demand periods and generating hydroelectric power during peak times. With a capacity of 1,168 MW, Northfield Mountain is a vital source of renewable energy for homes and businesses. It plays a key role in managing energy supply and maintaining grid reliability, supplying renewable power to the grid, and supporting sustainable energy practices. Northfield Mountain aligns with Provision’s commitment to sustainable energy and environmental care, making it a significant project in the journey towards a sustainable future.

How Many Trees Provision Customers Have Planted

Provision customers have funded the planting of 85,930 trees since October 2020, simply by using CarbonBetter® energy at home!

Trees are carbon-capturing superheroes! To address our carbon debt, we need to use less energy and use renewable energy when we can, but we also need to capture carbon that’s already in the atmosphere, and that’s what trees do best. Provision CarbonBetter® plans reduce the amount of carbon released through home energy use by including 100% carbon offset natural gas and 100% renewable electricity on all energy plans. Plus, all Provision plans plant trees, taking you from carbon neutral to CarbonBetter®.

Ecodrive

In 2023, Provision customers funded the planting of 2,500 trees by Ecodrive to help restore mangroves in Kenya. You can track our progress on our impact dashboard. Mangrove reforestation provides coastal protection, biodiversity benefits, and economic opportunities for local communities.

In previous years, funding was provided to plant trees in Ghana with OKO Forests and the Kokrobitey Institute. Agroforestry is a farming and reforestation practice that offers a unique opportunity for carbon sequestration while delivering significant additional benefits to local communities.

Provision customers are making a difference across the globe by supporting our tree-planting efforts with Ecodrive.

How Much Carbon Provision Customers Have Offset

Provision customers have offset 79,959 tons of carbon since October 2020! Per the EPA, that’s like avoiding almost 205 million miles of driving!

A carbon offset is a reduction or storage of carbon emissions that is used to compensate for emissions elsewhere. For Provision customers, this means offsetting the carbon released by home energy use, thereby making their impact “neutral.” Provision customers use 100% carbon offset natural gas and plant trees, taking their energy supply from carbon neutral to CarbonBetter®.

Looking Ahead to 2024

As we head into 2024, we are focused on increasing our collective positive impact, powered by CarbonBetter® clean energy. Provision customers are automatically making a difference through funding clean energy, offsetting carbon, and planting trees.

Provision customers get an update each month on what impact they’ve personally made since they’ve chosen Provision for their energy supply, and it’s wonderful to see our positive impact grow each month.

Wishing everyone a healthy and happy 2024, and we’re honored to be your energy supplier in the years ahead.

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Want to be included in our next impact update?

It’s easy to contribute to the positive impact we make each month. All Provision energy plans include CarbonBetter energy, which helps you make a difference while you use energy at home. Our customers help fund clean energy generation through renewable energy certificates, offset carbon through carbon credits, and plant trees to aid in reforestation and increase our natural carbon-capturing capabilities. It’s never too late to start using your energy for good.