Frequently asked questions
EWEB Greenpower is a voluntary program that supports renewable energy generation
from Eugene Water & Electric Board projects. Investing in EWEB Greenpower will
reduce the Northwest's growing dependence on fossil fuels and add to EWEB's already
diverse mix of renewable energy resources.
New subscriptions to the EWEB Windpower program were suspended in 2007 when the
output from the Foote Creek Rim wind project became fully subscribed. All customers
were invited to convert to the new EWEB Greenpower program.
In 2008, EWEB combined these two renewable energy programs and moved forward with
a single, updated EWEB Greenpower program. The projects were similarly priced, so
EWEB Windpower customers saw little or no changes in cost as they became EWEB Greenpower
customers.
The updated Greenpower Program is supplied by the output of newer wind power projects in northeastern Oregon
and southeastern Washington, and from solar-powered electric generators in Eugene.
Output from the Foote Creek Rim project has been incorporated into EWEB's resource
mix, meaning that all EWEB customers now receive clean renewable energy from the
project.
EWEB customers have two options when purchasing EWEB Greenpower:
Option 1: Customers can assign up to 100 percent of their electric
load to Greenpower by paying a 1-cent per kilowatt-hour premium above the normal
rate.
For example, the average EWEB household uses 1060 kWh per month. The extra cost
for 100 percent Greenpower for that customer is approximately $10.60 per month.
(1,060 x $0.01 = $10.60)
Option 2: Customers can also purchase EWEB Greenpower in block
units:
- $1.50 per 100 kilowatt-hours or,
- $10 per 1,000 kilowatt-hours.
Customers may purchase as many blocks as desired. Some customers may choose to buy
both consumption-based Greenpower and blocks.
EWEB's publicly elected Board of Commissioners sets the price of EWEB Greenpower.
Any rate change will be reviewed during regularly scheduled public meetings prior
to any adjustments. See board meeting agendas and supporting documents for more
information about EWEB Commissioners' rate actions.
The revenue from EWEB Greenpower will go into a reserve fund that will finance future
renewable projects in the Northwest.
For example, the funds raised by EWEB Greenpower could be used to expand Eugene's
development of local solar photovoltaic electric generation, support educational
efforts to a bring broader understanding of sustainability in energy development,
or invest in research and demonstration of new generation technologies such as wave
power.
The EWEB Board of Commissioners is dedicated to making future investments in new
renewable generation projects. New investments will be based on EWEB's Integrated Electric Resource Plan (IERP), and the
economic and environmental benefits will continue to flow to the Northwest. In fact,
the EWEB Greenpower program is designed to produce additional investments above
and beyond those to which the Commissioners have already committed.
You can influence future renewable project funding decisions by participating in
EWEB Greenpower and speaking to your elected EWEB commissioner.
EWEB Greenpower currently comes from the Stateline Wind Energy Center, from photovoltaic
(PV) electric generation facilities in Eugene, and methane bio-gas
The Stateline Wind Energy Center is located on Vansycle Ridge,
a crest of land straddling the Washington/Oregon border between Touchet, Washington,
and Pendleton, Oregon. The ridge catches winds from the Columbia Gorge, which average
a steady but not gusty 16 to 18 miles per hour. This is considered excellent for
wind farm development.
There are a growing number of solar generation projects in Eugene including two
of the largest systems in the Northwest. Industrial Finishes on West 1st Avenue
is one of the largest systems in the Northwest at 450 kW, followed by the Pepsi-Cola
Bottling Company of Eugene at 250 kW.
The Metropolitan Wastewater Management Commission's water pollution
control facility
treats over 13 billion gallons of wastewater annually. During the wastewater treatment
process, three anaerobic digesters produce methane gas as a biological by-product
that is used to generate renewable energy.
Yes. In the near future, EWEB will add to the Greenpower blend with output from
additional regional wind, solar and geothermal projects.
EWEB owns or contracts with many electric generation projects that deliver power
to the western electrical grid, which supplies your home or business with power.
Your support of EWEB Greenpower increases the percentage of renewable generation
flowing into the grid and reduces the need for power from other nonrenewable sources. However,
it is not possible to customize energy sources for each household or business.
Renewable Energy Certificates (REC), sometimes called "green tags," represent the
positive environmental attributes or benefits of renewable generation such as wind,
solar and geothermal power. Renewable generation displaces less environmentally
friendly generation that burns fossil fuels that cause air and water pollution.
The electricity produced by renewable generation is the same as electricity produced
by conventional generation. However, the displacement of fossil fuel generation
leaves a positive environmental impact by comparison. In essence, the REC is a record
of the positive environmental attribute produced when the renewable generation displaces
fossil fuel generation.
Renewable Energy Certificates are a method of documenting and tracking the environmental
attributes of renewable energy generation. RECs can only be produced in an equal
amount to the amount of electricity generated from a qualifying new renewable generator.
RECs are traded in wholesale markets between suppliers and organizations that use
the certificates to meet regulatory requirements for investments in renewable energy,
and in retail programs similar to EWEB Greenpower.
Supporting EWEB Greenpower will encourage additional non-carbon producing renewable
energy production in the Northwest. When new renewable generation is added to the
Northwest power grid, less carbon-emitting generation is needed and Northwest carbon
emissions are lowered. Many scientists believe carbon emissions play a role in global
warming.
According to the Northwest Power and Conservation Council, each 1,000 kilowatt-hours
of clean new renewable electricity produced in the Northwest represents 1,000 kilowatt-hours
of reduced conventional generation. This results in the equivalent of 1,000 pounds
of greenhouse gas emissions that are offset in the mix of energy delivered to the
western electrical grid (1). In fact, the impact would be greater if it weren't for
the high percentage of non-polluting hydroelectric power in the Pacific Northwest.
In parts of the country where coal is the primary source of electric generation,
the reduction of greenhouse gas emission from new renewable generators is up to
two times greater.
The EWEB Greenpower retail program is certified as a "Green-e Energy™" Renewable Electricity
Program. This certification program is administered by the non-profit Center for
Resource Solutions, which sets consumer protection and environmental standards for
retail electricity products and verifies that consumer dollars are supporting a
specific amount and type of renewable power. This is a nationally recognized way
of providing independent verification of a green power program's true environmental
benefits. Only the most environmentally beneficial program can receive the Green-e Energy™
certification. You can learn more about the Center for Resource Solutions and Green-e Energy™
certification by visiting their web site at www.green-e.org or calling 1-888-63-GREEN.
No. EWEB Greenpower is a voluntary program. You can sign up as you like, and you
may unsubscribe at any time without penalty.
No. While supporting Greenpower has a huge positive impact on the environment, it
is currently not eligible for a charitable deduction.