Over 100,000 California Members of NRDC and EDF Urged to Choose Cleaner Power

The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) today announced a coordinated effort to urge all of their 100,000 plus members in California to select from among the clean energy options now being offered under California’s new competitive retail electricity market. In an unprecedented effort NRDC and EDF are mailing, emailing and using their web sites (www.nrdc.org and www.environmentaldefense.org) to promote cleaner power. Members of the two organizations will receive a letter either from John Adams (President of NRDC) or Fred Krupp (Executive Director of EDF) informing them that their selection of an electricity provider can help make a significant environmental difference.

“Our production and use of electricity is the single largest source of air pollutants that threaten public health, unleash acid rain and contribute to global climate change,” said Sheryl Carter, senior project policy analyst at NRDC. “By buying power generated entirely or mostly from wind, solar or other renewables — rather than from fossil fuels — Californians can directly support the addition of even more clean energy sources. The worst environmental choice consumers can make is no choice — that is, sticking with their current power source.”

“Several companies in California are offering a variety of green energy products,” said Daniel Kirshner, an EDF economic analyst. “Our two organizations are asking people to pick the company and the green electricity product that fits their preferences and pocket book. Taking advantage of the country’s first electricity choice program, which began earlier this year in California, can reduce the threat of global warming and help reduce air pollution in our cities.”

The two organizations’ mailings, email messages, and Internet sites all contain information about California’s options for cleaner power, the resources used to produce this power, and easy step-by-step directions for switching to clean power. Consumers can sign up to receive clean power through toll free numbers or the Internet. Cleaner power opportunities are available to residential, commercial, and industrial customers. Tens of thousands of individuals and some high profile companies, such as Toyota and Patagonia, have already selected renewable energy providers.

“This mailing is intended to encourage our members to provide leadership in moving our economy to less polluting electricity,” said Kirshner.