Green Web Hosting Explained

The IT sector has a huge climate impact. At present, between 3 and 4 percent of all electricity (and the associated carbon emissions) used in the world goes to running data centers. In fact, one server alone has roughly the same climate impact as a 15mpg SUV!

We’re pleased to announce that our servers are now 130% wind powered! The company from which we lease our servers has purchased Green-e certified Renewable Energy Credits (REC) representing 130% of the electricity used to both power and cool all their servers. Begin Green-e certified means that all of their RECs are verified, tracked and monitored.

What the heck are RECs?

Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) are tradeable credits representing all the environmental benefits of 1 megawatt hour of renewable energy. So when our server provider, whose servers are located in Texas, purchases wind RECs, it’s basically paying a Texas windfarm to generate renewable energy on their behalf. The company itself doesn’t own the windfarm, but for every REC purchased by the company, that windfarm generates 1 megawatt of Texas wind power and puts it into the grid. When the servers draws power from the grid, the company can then claim credit for that wind power generated on its behalf.

Are you interested in finding out more about what YOU can do to reduce your personal impact on the environment? The Environmental Protection Program has lots of information on the subject.