Today federal, state, local governments, along with more and more companies, are looking to increase the amount of renewable energy being purchased.  In New York State the Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) initiated in 2010 calls for 30% of the electricity purchased in the state be from renewable sources by 2015.   Presently less than 25% of New York States energy resources come from renewable sources.  For most utilities this is a tremendous increase.

Massena Electric already goes well beyond what the RPS is asking the state to use as a target.  Roughly 75% of the power MED provides to its customers is renewable.  Almost all of the power is Hydro power received from the Niagara Power Project.  This is more than three times the amount of renewable energy purchased by investor owned utilities in New York State.

Even though the RPS will force other utilities to increase the amount of renewable energy they purchase, for Massena Electric this would be a step back in our relationship with the environment. If we emitted greenhouse gases at the New York State Average we would add:

·        13,000 tons of Carbon Dioxide (CO₂) to the atmosphere
-          leading Green House Gas

·        55 tons of Sulfur Dioxide (SO₂)
-          leading component of acid rain

·        26 tons of Nitrogen Oxide (NO_x)
-          leading component of smog and contributor to acid rain