|
Beginning today, electric customers of Consumers Energy have an easy and effective way to fund the development of green power in Michigan. Customers can now sign up for the utility’s new Green Power Pilot Program. The Green Power Pilot Program was announced by the utility in July and has been approved by the Michigan Public Service Commission. “If you want to see wind, solar and other types of renewable energy developed in Michigan, this is an excellent way to show your support and help fund its growth,” said Dennis DaPra, senior vice president of accounting and regulatory affairs. Electric customers who sign up for the program can choose to buy 10 percent, 50 percent or 100 percent of their energy from certified green power generators. Participating customers will pay a Green Surcharge of 0.32 cents, 1.6 cents or 3.2 cents per kilowatt-hour respectively for their service. Almost all of the surcharge will be passed directly to certified generators for power delivered to the Consumers Energy electric system; the remainder will cover the utility’s cost of administering the program. An electric customer using 600 kilowatt hours of electricity a month will pay an additional $19.20 monthly for 100 percent green power, $9.60 for 50 percent green power, and $1.92 for 10 percent green power. “Green power producers need this revenue because the cost of their power is significantly higher than conventional power sources,” said Scott Brockett, Consumers Energy’s Green Power Program project manager. “We are not including any existing hydro dams, waste-to-energy plants or other generators now serving our customers. All of the generators in this program are new. Participation by our customers is very important to their success.” Enrollment is on a first-come, first-served basis. The pilot program is limited to a maximum generating capacity sufficient to meet the needs of about 18,000 homes. There are two ways to sign up. Customers may use the utility’s website, consumersenergy.com, or they may call the utility’s toll-free number, 800-477-5050. Customers enrolling on-line should select the “Green Power Program” option under the “Energy Information” menu. Customers who participate must stay in the program for a minimum of one year to give green energy providers a reliable and measurable revenue stream. However, customers can contract to pay the Green Surcharge for up to 17 years. The pilot program has a term of three years. At the end of the three-year period, a determination will be made whether to extend the program or make it permanent. Consumers Energy, the principal subsidiary of CMS Energy, is Michigan's largest utility providing natural gas and electricity to more than six million of the state's nearly 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties. Media Contact: Charles MacInnis 517-788-2396
|
