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Dear GreenLight:
 I've heard
a lot about electric deregulation and the possibility of switching
to a renewable power provider. What is renewable or green power?
Will it cost me more? How do I switch?
B. M.
Dear B. M.:
Simply
put, renewable power is electricity generated from biomass, digester
gas, geothermal, small hydroelectric, landfill gas, municipal
solid waste, solar, or wind. Although renewable power is generally
considered better, it is not without environmental impacts. For
example, wind turbines kill a significant number of birds every
year.
The cost
of renewable energy varies with the supplier and source. Several
suppliers provide electricity for less than the public utilities
exchange (PX) rate, while others charge substantially more.
One easy
way to research renewable energy providers is to go to www .energyguide.com.
The web site allows you to easily compare all renewable energy
providers for both cost and energy sources. Once you have selected
the provider that meets your needs, you simply contact that provider
by phone and request your service be changed. After you switch,
you will still get a bill from your electric utility for delivery
of the electricity. In some cases you will get a second bill
for the electricity.
Dear Greenlight:
I recently
saw a news story about potential hazards from breathing diesel
exhaust. How serous is the hazard and what can I do to protect
my health?
J. L
Dear J. L.:
A recent
study of air quality in the Los Angeles area suggests that more
than 70 percent of the total cancer risk from airborne contaminants
in the LA basin can be linked to diesel exhaust. In addition,
researchers have linked diesel emissions to a number of other
health concerns that include respiratory irritation, development
of allergies, and impaired lung function. Although it is not
possible to prove the exact health impacts, the evidence is compelling.
A copy of the LA study may be found at: www.aqmd.gov/news1/download.htm
Unfortunately,
agencies that are tasked with improving air quality are limited
in what they can do to reduce overall diesel emissions. Most
current regulations to reduce diesel emissions focus on either
reducing emissions from new vehicles and heavy equipment or reformulating
diesel fuel to reduce emissions. Both the EPA and state of California
have significantly tightened diesel emission regulations for
vehicles, equipment, and marine vessels in the past several years.
The full benefits of these changes will take years to realize
because older equipment will continue to be used. Additionally,
the regulations are phased in to allow time for developing better
emission control equipment. California already is already requiring
use of reformulated diesel fuel.
Regarding
protecting yourself from diesel exhaust, another study by the
South Coast Air Quality Management District found that peoples'
highest daily exposure to air pollutants may be during their
commute to and from work. This suggests to me that living closer
to where you work could significantly lower your risk. More importantly,
if we all commute less, we will have better air quality and more
time. 
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