- What is renewable energy?
Renewable energy is electricity that comes from sources that produce little or no emissions by using resources that replenish themselves naturally, such as wind, sunlight, biomass (agricultural waste), geothermal (the Earth's heat), waves and landfill gas.
- What are the benefits of renewable energy?
Renewable energy has a variety of benefits, including reduced reliance on imported and domestic fossil fuels, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and lower levels of air and wastewater pollutants.
- Does Holland BPW purchase renewable energy?
Yes! HBPW added renewable energy to its portfolio starting in 2008, before it was state mandated. In 2012, nearly 5 percent of the electricity consumed by HBPW customers came from renewables. With the recently negotiated agreements with two wind farms, the electricity generated by renewables will jump to 16 percent by 2015. This surpasses the state mandate of 10 percent renewables by 2015.
- What are the sources of HBPW's renewable energy?
HBPW has agreements to purchase renewable energy from the Grayling Generating Station for biomass and North American Natural Resources and Granger for landfill-based generation. Recently, agreements were negotiated for wind energy from E.ON Wildcat 1 and Beebe Wind.
- What is the Elective Renewable Energy rate?
The Elective Renewable Energy rate gives you the option of supporting a green energy solution by having part or all of your electricity come from renewable sources.
- Why is it offered?
It is offered because of increased interest from customers. And with the recent addition of wind energy agreements, HBPW now has sufficient supply to offer renewable energy to any customer who elects it.
- Who is it available to?
Any HBPW electric customer.
- How does it work?
When you choose Elective Renewable Energy, you'll pay your normal rate for electricity plus a small monthly premium. You'll see this participation premium reflected as an additional line item on your regular monthly billing statement, which will read Elective Renewable Energy.
- How much can I get?
You may choose the amount of your electricity that comes from renewables in one of two ways – in five percent (5%) increments of your monthly usage or in blocks of 100 kilowatt-hours. If you choose a percent, your participation cost will fluctuate based on the number of kilowatt-hours of electricity you use in a given month.
- How much does it cost?
The premium is $0.015 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) or $1.50 per 100 kWh block.
- How is it different than the Renewable Energy Charge currently on my bill?
The Elective Renewable Energy rate does not eliminate or replace the Renewable Energy Charge currently found on all customer bills. The Renewable Energy Charge is a funding mechanism that the State of Michigan put in place in 2008 when it passed the Clean, Renewable and Efficient Energy Act (Public Act 295) into law. This charge, which helps develop renewable energy generation in the state, remains in place. The Elective Renewable Energy rate is optional and allows you to elect part or all of your electricity to be offset by renewable energy. The premium will NOT be used by HBPW to purchase the renewable energy required by state mandate.
- How will I know that I'm really purchasing renewable energy?
When HBPW purchases renewable energy it receives renewable energy credits (RECs) that are certified and overseen by a third party. The Michigan Renewable Energy Certification System (MIRECS) issues, tracks, and enables retirement of the credits to ensure that no two customers pay for the same unit of renewable energy.
- Will it come with Green-e certificates?
HBPW is not currently offering Green-e certificates. It will investigate this option if customers are interested.
- Where does the money that I pay to participate go?
Renewable energy costs more than traditional power generation. The premium you pay is the cost difference.
- Can I rely on it?
Your participation will not change the reliable service you have come to depend on from the HBPW. The renewable energy purchased for the program is supplemented by electricity from other traditional sources.
- How do I apply?
Enrolling is easy. Simply fill out the Elective Renewable Energy application form found at www.hollandbpw.com/residential or www.hollandbpw.com/business and follow the submission instructions listed on the application.
- Can I go on and off the rate at any time?
- When will the new rate show up on my bill?
The Elective Renewable Energy rate will show up on your bill statement within 45 days of enrollment.
- What if demand for Elective Renewable Energy exceeds the amount HBPW currently purchases?
HBPW will purchase additional Renewable Energy Credits to meet the customer demand.
- Where can I get more information?