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NatureWise Program
Frequently Asked Questions - NatureWise® Renewable Energy Program
Following are the answers to some questions that are asked quite often.
If they don't explain what you need to know, or if you'd like further information,
contact us.
- What is the NatureWise program?
- NatureWise offers you a choice about how your electricity is produced!
It's a smart new choice for clean energy. This voluntary program allows you to bring
more clean, renewable energy to our region. These new renewable resources will replace
some of the electricity generated from other fuels, including coal and natural gas.
NatureWise is an easy way to make a difference for the environment.
- Why did UPPCO implement the NatureWise program?
- Our customers have told us that they want to protect the
environment and use more renewable energy. UPPCO shares these concerns, so we
implemented NatureWise. NatureWise offers you a choice about how your electricity
is produced. Every household or business that joins the NatureWise program helps
reduce the reliance on limited resources like coal and natural gas while improving
the environment for future generations.
- What renewable energy sources provide the energy for UPPCO's NatureWise program?
- NatureWise is a blend of energy from wind and biomass. The
wind energy comes from two wind turbines in Glenmore, WI near Green Bay. The biomass
energy comes from two sources: dairy farm waste (from Wholesome Dairy in Hilbert, WI)
and a landfill located in Whitelaw, WI. UPPCO purchases this energy from Wisconsin
Public Service, our sister utility in Wisconsin.
- Will other renewable energy sources be added to the NatureWise program?
- As UPPCO customers' demand for renewable energy increases,
UPPCO will add more renewable electricity to the NatureWise mix of resources.
Facilities located in Michigan will be considered for this additional energy.
- What are the environmental benefits of NatureWise?
- NatureWise energy uses wind and biomass to produce cleaner
electricity. Wind power does not pollute the air or water, does not create any waste
products, and does not produce any greenhouse gases. Biomass energy converts waste
from farms and landfills to produce valuable green electricity. This benefits the
environment because using the methane from waste products as a fuel is better than
releasing the methane into the air or burning it off. In addition, NatureWise saves
resources for the future. Over a year, each block (100 kilowatt-hours per month)
of NatureWise energy that you purchase saves 1,000 pounds of coal.
- Will my electricity still be just as reliable?
- The reliability of your electricity service is not
affected by your NatureWise purchase. Even if the wind is not blowing, you
will have reliable electricity because you are connected to the regional
electricity grid.
- How much will it cost me to sign up for NatureWise?
- NatureWise offers "blocks" of renewable electricity. Each
block is 100 kilowatt-hours (kWh)*, and you will pay an extra charge of
$4.00 per block on your monthly bill. For a few dollars a month, you can
begin supporting renewable energy.
Number of Blocks
|
Extra Monthly Payment |
1 |
$4.00 |
2 |
$8.00 |
3 |
$12.00 |
4 |
$16.00 |
5 |
$20.00 |
6 |
$24.00 |
*100 kWh represents 15-20% of a typical UPPCO residential customer's monthly electric use.
- How much NatureWise energy can I purchase?
- You have the power to choose the amount of NatureWise
energy you want. You can choose any number of "blocks" of NatureWise energy.
Each block is 100 kilowatt-hours, and that represents 15 - 20% of an average
monthly residential electric bill.
On the sign-up form that was sent in the mail, you can check from one to
six blocks, and there is a blank on the form if you want to purchase more than
six blocks. (NatureWise must be purchased in whole blocks.)
You can also enroll through the UPPCO Call Center at 800-562-7680. Please
be prepared to tell the customer service representative how many blocks you want
to purchase.
- Why does renewable energy cost more?
- Renewable energy facilities are currently more costly
to build and operate. Wind and biomass — the "fuels" for these facilities
— are free, but the equipment and maintenance cost more per unit of electricity
than conventional power plants. The cost of renewable energy is decreasing. Wind
energy, for example, has fallen dramatically in recent years, from about 38 cents
per kilowatt-hour in the early 1980's to about 7 cents per kilowatt-hour today.
That's still more expensive than the electricity from conventional energy sources.
The cost of wind and other renewable energy will likely decrease over time as
developers build more projects to meet rising demand.
- Where does my money go?
- Your NatureWise payments are used to purchase the more
expensive renewable energy and to cover the administrative costs of providing the program.
- Are my NatureWise payments tax-deductible?
- No, the extra charges are not considered a donation.
They are charges for a "premium" grade of electricity.
- Does UPPCO make any money from the NatureWise program?
- The NatureWise price is set to recover the costs
of purchasing the more expensive renewable energy and administering the program.
The Michigan Public Service Commission approves the final price for NatureWise.
- Why don't all customers help pay for the added costs of renewable energy?
- Not all customers have the same interests and needs.
Some are concerned about the environmental impacts of electricity generation and
are willing and able to pay more for cleaner electricity. Others are interested
only in paying the lowest possible price for electricity. NatureWise gives you the
choice. People who prefer renewable energy can purchase NatureWise voluntarily in
the amount they choose. Customers who choose not to purchase NatureWise do not pay
any of the extra costs.
- Is UPPCO required to produce a certain amount of electricity from renewable
energy sources? (renewable portfolio standards)?
- No. Currently, Michigan does not have requirements for
producing electricity from renewable resources. Based on customer input, UPPCO
decided to voluntarily offer NatureWise in order to give customers a choice about
their electric supply. When you sign up for NatureWise renewable energy, you are
making a real difference!
- When I purchase NatureWise, does the renewable
energy come to my home, farm or business?
- No. NatureWise energy is delivered to the electrical
grid in our communities, not to individual facilities The renewable resources become
part of the supply mixture that UPPCO uses to provide electricity. By buying
NatureWise energy, you are saying, "I want my share to be renewable." UPPCO matches
your payments with electricity produced from renewable energy. This is monitored by
the Michigan Public Service Commission.
- I signed up for several blocks of NatureWise energy, and that's
more electricity than I used in the month.
- Your NatureWise purchase is a fixed amount of energy,
regardless of the amount of electricity that you use. If you purchase several
blocks of NatureWise energy, the total NatureWise amount may exceed the amount
you use during months when your electrical use is lower.
Example:
- Electrical use: 525 kWh
- NatureWise purchase: 6 blocks of 100 kWh = 600 kWh
This customer will be billed for 600 kWh of NatureWise even though he/she only used 525 kWh.
- How do I cancel my NatureWise purchase?
-
Contact us with a detailed request.
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