The number of Offsets you need is determined by taking the total CO2e (CO2e stands for a carbon dioxide equivalent which, essentially, is a fancy way of saying we would like you to measure your activities by a standard unit of measure: the carbon dioxide equivalents that the activities create) that you produced and dividing it by the amount of CO2 reduced by each offset.

If, for example, after using our online carbon calculator you determine that you produced 46,284 lbs. of CO2e per year and you would like to support Solar offsets, your value would be 46,284 lbs. of greenhouse gases produced divided by 1,295 lbs. of greenhouse gases avoided = 35.7 Solar Offsets.

Each BEF Carbon Offset costs $20, $27 or $35, depending on the type of renewable power the offset represents.

Before we get further into the specifics of this cost answer, let us clarify our philosophy on the purchase of carbon offsets. Buying carbon offsets from BEF or any other organization is a voluntary purchase that should be combined with changes to your lifestyle. We always suggest that the first step our customer-partners should take is actively pursuing energy efficiency and carbon reduction activities. Change your incandescent light bulbs to compact fluorescents. Carpool or ride your bike or your bus a little more often. There are thousands of things that each of us can do to help reduce the size of our carbon footprints (if you're looking for ideas, check out the nifty education section of our Web site). Once you've taken steps to reduce the size of your footprint, then buy carbon offsets. If you can only afford to spare $20, buy one BEF Carbon Offset; if your budget is a little larger, we will happily sell you BEF Carbon Offsets to offset all of your activities, the activities of your friends, the activities of your employees and the activities of everyone in your neighborhood. Remember, each offset reduces the amount of carbon that goes into our atmosphere.

So, the long and short of it is, combine your offset purchase with carbon reducing activities and then buy as many carbon offsets as you can afford. The average household uses about 1,000 kWh of electricity monthly (or 12,000 kWh annually). Offsetting 100% of the environmental impact of this use would cost a minimum of $20, or one BEF Wind Offset, a month ($240 annually). Offsetting the environmental impact of your travel and heating your home as well will increase the cost. You can decide what percentage of your use you would like to offset. It's up to you. The more you're able to offset, the greater the impact we'll all make together on our planet.

That depends on how much of your greenhouse gas emissions you choose to offset and which product you choose to support. The calculator lets you see the change in cost as you change your percentage commitment. (Note: There is a minimum purchase of one Offset for payment in full, or three Offsets for monthly payment orders.) Rest assured though, there are no hidden costs with us. Whatever amount you tell us you'd like to spend is the amount you will be charged.

The minimum purchase requirement is $20 worth of BEF Carbon Offsets from the Web site. For larger purchases (e.g., for a business purchase), please call us at 503-248-1905 or toll-free at 1-866-BEF-8247. Discounts may apply. Just to be clear, there isn't a cap or a maximum amount you can purchase - we'll happily sell you as many BEF Carbon Offsets as your heart and your budget desire.

Yes! We have a monthly payment option so you can have an automatic monthly withdrawal from your credit card. (This is available for orders of three or more BEF Carbon Offsets and monthly contributions of $5 or more.) If you would like to take advantage of this payment option, simply choose the Monthly Payment option under Payment Type when placing your order online.

Yes! We do accept check orders for BEF Carbon Offset purchases. Please call the BEF office at 503-248-1905 or toll-free at 1-866-BEF-8247 weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. PST to request a check order form.

We have taken every precaution to assure your safety and security while visiting our Web site. You can tell that you are entering into a secure transaction when you see the "lock" symbol at the bottom of your computer screen.

Yes. The Bonneville Environmental Foundation (BEF) is registered as a nonprofit organization and has been granted 501(c)(3) status by the IRS. When you make a contribution to BEF for the express purpose of buying offsets, you will be directing BEF to buy the amount of offsets that you designate and retire all available emissions credits. Although this means that you won't personally own the emissions offsets as your property, you will accomplish the environmental outcome that is your goal - cleaner air and additional renewable energy projects. We will gratefully send you an acknowledgement of your contribution, which is tax deductible to the full extent allowed under the law. Please consult with your own tax advisor if you have further questions about the tax deductibility of your contribution.

BEF Solar Energy Offsets from the Bonneville Environmental Foundation (BEF) are a greenhouse gas offset product based upon renewable energy resources. For every unit of electricity generated from renewable sources, an equivalent amount of BEF Solar Energy Offsets is produced. A purchase of BEF Solar Energy Offsets supports new¹ renewable electricity generation, which offsets the environmental effects of burning coal, gas and other fossil fuels across the US.

BEF Solar Energy Offsets offset a minimum of 1,295 pounds of CO2 each. The product will be generated between 2008 and 2010 and will be made up of the following new renewable resources:

BEF uses the greenhouse gas offset methodology established in the Green-e® Climate Protocol for Renewable Energy for Solar Energy Offsets.

This is representative of the content of BEF carbon offsets at the time this label was created. BEF is both developing and purchasing new resources to add to its mix. As the product mix changes, BEF will disclose the changes on our web site. You may also call 503-248-1905 for information on our product mix.

Green-e® Climate is an independent certification program for greenhouse gas emission reductions (offsets) sold in the voluntary market. The Green-e® Climate logo provides a way to identify products that meet the program's high environmental and consumer protection standards. For more information on Green-e® Climate certification requirements, or to find certified products, see www.green-e.org or call 888-63-GREEN

¹New indicates renewable generators that first started operating or were repowered on or after January 1, 2005. These facilities help to change the overall energy mix toward more renewables and less burning of fossil fuels.

BEF Wind Energy Offsets from the Bonneville Environmental Foundation (BEF) are a greenhouse gas offset product based upon renewable energy resources. For every unit of electricity generated from renewable sources, an equivalent amount of BEF Wind Energy Offsets is produced. A purchase of BEF Wind Energy Offsets supports new¹ renewable electricity generation, which offsets the environmental effects of burning coal, gas and other fossil fuels across the US.

BEF Wind Energy Offsets offset a minimum of 1,500 pounds of CO2 each. The product will generated between 2008 and 2010 and will be made up of the following new renewable resources:

BEF uses the greenhouse gas offset methodology established in the Green-e® Climate Protocol for Renewable Energy for Wind Energy Offsets.

This is representative of the content of BEF carbon offsets at the time this label was created. BEF is both developing and purchasing new resources to add to its mix. As the product mix changes, BEF will disclose the changes on our web site. You may also call 503-248-1905 for information on our product mix.

Green-e® Climate is an independent certification program for greenhouse gas emission reductions (offsets) sold in the voluntary market. The Green-e® Climate logo provides a way to identify products that meet the program's high environmental and consumer protection standards. For more information on Green-e® Climate certification requirements, or to find certified products, see www.green-e.org or call 888-63-GREEN.

BEF Wind & Solar Energy Offsets from the Bonneville Environmental Foundation (BEF) are a greenhouse gas offset product based upon renewable energy resources. For every unit of electricity generated from renewable sources, an equivalent amount of BEF Wind & Solar Energy Offsets is produced. A purchase of BEF Wind & Solar Energy Offsets supports new¹ renewable electricity generation, which offsets the environmental effects of burning coal, gas and other fossil fuels across the US.

BEF Wind & Solar Energy Offsets offset a minimum of 1,500 pounds of CO2 each. The product will be generated between 2008 and 2010 and will made up of the following new renewable resources:

BEF uses the greenhouse gas offset methodology established in the Green-e® Climate Protocol for Renewable Energy for Wind & Solar Energy Offsets.

This is representative of the content of BEF carbon offsets at the time this label was created. BEF is both developing and purchasing new resources to add to its mix. As the product mix changes, BEF will disclose the changes on our web site. You may also call 503-248-1905 for information on our product mix.

Green-e® Climate is an independent certification program for greenhouse gas emission reductions (offsets) sold in the voluntary market. The Green-e® Climate logo provides a way to identify products that meet the program's high environmental and consumer protection standards. For more information on Green-e® Climate certification requirements, or to find certified products, see www.green-e.org or call 888-63-GREEN.

That depends on whether you choose to keep the rights to the attributes, or have BEF retire them for you. If you keep them, BEF will send you a confirmation that the attributes now belong to you, for use in offsetting your own energy use (they are not, however, resellable since you have used them up by claiming them against your own energy use).

If you choose to make a contribution to BEF, and direct us to use it to retire a designated amount of BEF Offsets, we will do so. Your contribution has the same environmental effect as a purchase.

When comparing green power and offset products, it is essential to check and ensure that the product you are buying contains all of its attributes (e.g., that its CO2 emissions offset hasn't been sold already to someone else). If it does not, you may be paying a premium for an environmental benefit that has been double-sold, to you and someone else. BEF's Carbon Offset products contain all of their environmental attributes.

BEF has specific contract language covering Web sales and similar smaller transactions, which can be reviewed by clicking here.