Growing up in the New York area, I remember a certain clothing store’s commercial that had the tag-line, “an educated consumer is our best customer.” Exelon/Constellation’s recent foray into the anti-wind camp makes this point especially true in the green energy world. For Clean Currents, and other truly green companies, an educated consumer is indeed our best customer.

Exelon/Constellation is “publicly leading an organized campaign against the (wind) industry’s #1 priority,” according to the spokesman for the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA), the premier wind power group. Exelon/Constellation is apparently leading efforts to abolish the Production Tax Credit (PTC), set to expire this year.  The PTC is a huge driver in getting wind farms built, along with consumer demand through voluntary purchases and state Renewable Portfolio Standards. In fact, uncertainty surrounding the renewal of the PTC is already negatively affecting the wind industry, causing the loss of domestic manufacturing jobs. Exelon/Constellation’s efforts against the PTC is a serious enough issue that AWEA has expelled Exelon/Constellation from the group. As the AWEA spokesman notes, this is not just a “difference of opinion,” but rather the fact that Exelon/Constellation is leading the efforts to kill the PTC, thereby curtailing the development of wind power.

So where does the educated consumer come in? Our experience with Clean Currents customers, and from national data I’ve seen, shows that consumers who buy wind power or other forms of clean energy do so because they want to help build the wind industry and, in turn, help the environment or boost national energy security. The educated consumer will look beyond marketing to see the company behind the product, and make sure their values align before choosing to purchase from that company.

If a company is taking your “green” (money) on one hand, and using part of their proceeds to lead the efforts to destroy the top priority for the wind industry, is that money you spent actually helping wind, or is it helping a company oppose wind? At best, you could argue it’s a wash. If the consumer really wants to help build clean energy, he/she must buy from companies that only sell clean energy, and that support all the various legislative, regulatory, and market efforts to rapidly expand the growth of wind, solar and other forms of truly green energy.  The Exelon/Constellation issue is just the latest example of companies that don’t truly practice what they preach. For example, there are companies that are part of the natural gas fracking rush and companies that oppose Maryland’s effort to build offshore wind farms that also happen to sell green energy.

Companies that are not truly green are literally banking on the premise that there are many uneducated consumers in the marketplace. Their green washing and sometimes even active efforts to kill clean energy initiatives confuse the uneducated consumer and hurt the overall sustainability movement.  At Clean Currents, we’re hoping that our leadership by example demonstrates what it means to be a truly green company, solely committed to expanding solar and wind power to fight climate change and enhance national energy security.

It is easy to see why Golden West Cafe was just name #2 Best Bar in Hampden by City Paper’s Best of Baltimore. The menu is an eclectic mix of organic grass-fed beef, vegan BBQ riblet sandwich, Thai chicken and mint salad and their famous green chile sauce. What really sets Golden West apart is their focus on sustainability.

We recently had the opportunity to talk with Kris Gobeil the General Manager and learn more about Golden West’s efforts. Kris explained that being 100% wind powered is only one of the many steps that they are taking. Composting and purchasing produce and meat from local, organic farms are other key initiatives. They purchase natural eggs from Springfield Farms in Sparks, MD.

The restaurant’s focus on local extends to their decision to become a Clean Currents customer. As a locally owned company, Clean Currents was a natural choice when it came time for Golden West to select a wind energy supplier. It is the hope of Golden West that “much like the push for organic and local, more restaurants will be pushed to use clean energy.” You can help Golden West in this quest by asking the restaurants, cafes and bars you frequent if they are powered by green energy.

Join us at Golden West on Thursday, October 18th for the B-more Wind Powered Happy Hour as part of Wind Powered Baltimore Week.  The first 20 people to mention Clean Currents get a free drink. In the meantime, watch for the new online Clean Currents ads that feature Golden West’s very own Kris Gobeil.

We are THRILLED to announce Wind Powered Baltimore Week, October 16 - 21st. We have a week full of great events to celebrate the amazing wind powered community in Charm City.

Events range from happy hour co-hosted with Baltimore City Paper at Golden West Cafe to Not Your Mom's Ice Cream Social at Taharka Bro. Ice Cream Factory. Don't miss the Green Neighborhood Challenge kick off at Union Mill, and see the full schedule of events.

Congrats to our Clean Currents powered businesses that raked in the recognition from Baltimore City Paper's Best Of Baltimore today! We can't wait to celebrate with you during Wind Powered Baltimore Week. Here's the round up of wind powered winners:

#1 Best Local Fashion Boutique: Doubledutch
#1 Best Place to Buy Gifts: Trohv
#1 Best Home Accessories Store: Trohv
#2 Best Local Furniture Store: Trohv
#1 Best Place to Get a Haircut: Sprout
#1 Best Fancy Restaurant: Woodberry Kitchen
#2 Best Bruch: Woodberry Kitchen
#2 Best Dessert: Woodberry Kitchen
#2 Best Chef: Spike Gjerde of Woodberry Kitchen
#1 Best Multi-Use Arts Space: Creative Alliance
#2 Best Bar Hampden: Golden West Cafe

We can't wait to celebrate with you during Wind Powered Baltimore Week!

On September 10th, Clean Currents own Lynn gardner hit the golf course as part of the 13th Annual Galway Bay Golf Tourament. The tournament worked to raise enough frunds to install 15 new water wells in the Holy Cross Parish Community of Nhkamenya, Malawi.

Galway Bay is part of the Irish Restaurant Company in Anne Arundel County, MD. All three of the company's locations, Brian Boru, Galway Bay and Killarney House are 100% wind powered through Clean Currents. The Irish Restaurant Company also minimize their carbon footprint through recycling, rain barrels, earth friendly serving products, re-using materials for renovations, recycling cooking oil into biofuel, eliminating plastic, using environmentally friendly cleaning products, minimizing water usage, and much more. Galway Bay was the first restaurant in Maryland to be certified as a Maryland Green Travel Partner.

Being green goes beyond the company's Irish roots. As Anthony Clarke, Partner and CFO explains, "with the love and respect for our home country of Ireland and growing up with its beautiful 40 shades of green we all agreed as responsible business owners... that it is important to become environmental stewards by reducing our carbon footpring in each of our three locations." The Galway Bay motto is to "Live Green Eat Irish."

Next Time you are in the Annapolis area, swing by and check out this amazing group of restaurants. Also, mark your calendars now to join Lynn at next year's Galway Bay Golf Tournament.