Facebook’s Green Data Center, Powered by Coal?

"Here’s an interesting wrinkle on the unveiling of the new Facebook data center in Prineville, Oregon. In announcing the facility, Facebook emphasized its energy efficiency and use of renewable power resources. Cheap, green hydro power was a major attraction when Google built a data center in Oregon, so it was assumed that the Facebook data center would be supported primarily by hydro power from the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA).

Not so, according to Matt Stansberry from SearchDataCenter. Matt, an Oregon resident, took a closer look at the utility power that will support Facebook.

'Pacific Power, a utility owned by PacifiCorp, will provide the electricity' in Prineville, Matt writes. 'While Pacific Power gets some hydropower from BPA, its primary power-generation fuel is coal, according to Jason Carr, the manager of the Prineville office of economic development for Central Oregon.'"

http://www.datacenterknowledge.com/archives/2010/02/02/facebooks-green-data-center-powered-by-coal/

That's what matters, that they're paying the premium, it doesn't matter where the electrons originate. If I were to check the little "renewable energy" box on my utility bill I'd still be getting coal powered electrons, but at least those who generate renewable energy would still get paid.

I don't check that little box, though. My goal is to be energy self-sufficient, and a doubled light bill is not going to get me there any sooner.

http://www.greenercomputing.com/blog/2010/03/09/greenpeace-loses-round-two-tiff-facebook

I'm no fan of Facebook. However...