NYPIRG'S CLEAN &
GREEN WIND ENERGY PROGRAM
NYPIRG
is expanding its Fuel Buyers Group to make it easy for New Yorkers
to purchase Clean & Green renewable wind energy. We're teaming
up with Community Energy, Inc. (CEI) a marketer of 100% new wind
energy, generated in New York State. Here are some questions and
answers about NYPIRG's Clean & Green Energy Program. If you
have additional questions, please contact us at windpower@nypirg.org
or 1-800-695-4645.
Click
here to sign up.
What
is Wind Energy?
Wind is a form of solar energy that is used to generate mechanical
power or electricity. Wind turbines are like an airplane's propeller
blades, which turn in the moving air and power an electric generator
that then supplies an electric current. Wind turbines are often
grouped together on "wind farms" to generate bulk electricity.
The electricity from the wind farm is then fed into the local utility
grid and put into New York's power grid for distribution to homes,
businesses and institutions.
Why
should I purchase Clean & Green Wind Energy with NYPIRG?
Wind energy is a renewable source of energy that provides clean,
non-polluting electricity and does not emit air pollutants or greenhouse
gases like conventional fossil fuel-fired plants or incinerators,
or pose the safety risks associated with nuclear power. All of our
wind energy-100%-is produced by wind. Some "green power"
suppliers actually rely in part on environmentally damaging sources
of energy, such as incinerators. In some cases these other suppliers
generate part of their energy (and jobs) outside of New York. Our
program uses only 100% Clean & Green Energy that is generated
in New York. And, NYPIRG is offering its participants a discount.
Who
can participate?
Anyone in New York State can sign up at anytime to purchase Clean
& Green Wind Energy! The program is open to residential, small
business, large commercial and institutional electric users located
in New York State.
How
does the Clean & Green Energy Program work?
When someone signs up for NYPIRG's "Clean & Green Wind
Energy," Community Energy arranges to have the amount of energy
that's purchased sent into the New York power grid, where all of
the electricity in New York goes before distribution.
The
more that people opt for this clean, green energy, the more wind
power that is put into the Power Pool's power grid for distribution.
This wind power takes the place of "brown" power made
from conventional sources, such as coal, oil, natural gas and nuclear
power.
Every
bit of green electricity means there is less brown electricity in
the system. Imagine if everyone went green, there would be no need
for polluting power plants in our State.
How
much Clean & Green Wind Power should I buy?
The average home uses about 600 kWh of electricity each month. Wind
power is sold in the form of blocks per month, called Wind Blocks.
You need to purchase at least 2 Wind Blocks or 200kWh/mth of Clean
& Green Wind Energy to participate in the program.
How
much does it cost to go "Clean and Green" with NYPIRG?
NYPIRG participants have the opportunity to buy clean, green wind
power at a reduced rate.
Instead of paying $5.00 each month for green wind, NYPIRG participants
pay only $4.50/month. In addition to doing something good for the
environment, NYPIRG participants get to save money too.
2
Wind Blocks = 200 kWh/month of wind power for an additional $4.50
per month
4 Wind Blocks = 400 kWh/month of wind power for an additional $9.00
per month
6 Wind Blocks = 600 kWh/month of wind power for an additional $13.50
per month (equivalent to a typical home's monthly usage).
And
so on.
How
do I pay for clean, green wind power?
NYPIRG members can sign up by credit card and get billed monthly
or they can prepay quarterly, semi-annually or annually by check.
If you choose to pay by credit card, then you will be billed monthly
after the month of generation.
How
does this affect my utility billing?
There will be two bills when you go green: one from the utility
and the other from Community Energy. This is similar to having a
separate bill for your long distance and local phone service.
Remember,
buying green is a premium and you will not see a change on your
regular electric bill.
For
example, M. Jones received a bill from his local utility indicating
he used 600 kWh/month of brown electricity this month.
Had
he been a Green Wind Power Consumer who purchased 2 Wind Blocks,
then he would still receive that bill from the utility saying he
used 600 kWh/ month; BUT he would have also received a bill from
Community Energy (or a charge on his credit card statement if that
was his preferred method of payment) for $4.50 for his 2 Wind Blocks
(200 kWh/month.)
Remember,
this is a certificate program. Think of it as buying a little piece
of a wind farm. You are helping to pave the way for clean, renewable
energy to be the rule instead of the exception in New York.
How
does someone sign up for wind power?
There is a short enrollment form
that asks for your name, address, your local utility name and account
number. After filling out this information and choosing how many
Wind Blocks you want to purchase and your preferred payment method,
Community Energy will arrange to have that amount of wind energy
contributed to the New York power grid
Are
there any "connection" or other fees to "go green?"
NO. There is no charge for consumers to participate in the NYPIRG
Wind Power Program. However, as a not-for-profit environmental and
consumer advocacy organization, your contribution is welcome. Standard
NYPIRG membership is $30 a year payable to NYPIRG Fund and sent
to NYPIRG WIND PROJECT, 9 Murray Street, New York, N.Y. 10007-2272.
How
do I know that this is really green power?
Green Assurance Certificates are provided to consumers as proof
of their purchase. This certificate process is audited, tracked
and monitored by the Public Service Commission, the New York State
agency charged with overseeing utilities and energy suppliers.
Will
you keep my personal information confidential?
Absolutely. NYPIRG will not sell or trade your information with
any other organization or business. Your personal information will
be kept confidential except as needed by CEI to service your account.
CEI also has agreed to keep your information confidential.
For
more information on NYPIRG's wind power program, email windpower@nypirg.org.
Click
here to sign up.
