Did you know that only 37 people are enrolled in the Board of Light and Power Green Energy Program? Out of approximately 14,874 customers, that equates to 0.26% of customers.
The Green Energy Program was discussed during the July 20, 2023, meeting of the Board of Light and Power (BLP). General Manager Dave Walters explained the Green Energy Program is a “voluntary program offered to every customer so that they can choose to purchase as much renewable energy as they want individually. [] Anybody that wants to have more green energy in their portfolio is able to call us up tomorrow. They can be almost 100% green, with an approximate $4- to $5-dollar increase in their bill.”
The Green Energy Program has been advertised through messages included in bills, on the BLP website, on radio and in the newspaper, through social media, email, board meetings and even with window clings. Michigan State law requires utilities to provide customers with the ability to buy renewable energy credits, but it seems Grand Haven customers just aren’t interested.
All customers have to do to enroll in the program is to contact the customer account representative, and the phone number is listed on the BLP Green Energy Page.
According to the BLP website,
“Both residential and business customers can choose to purchase more renewable energy for an additional charge of $.008/kWh. The program requires a 12-month rate commitment, and purchases must be made in 100 kWh increments.
Beyond the renewable energy already in our power supply portfolio, GHBLP uses your green energy funds to purchase additional renewable energy credits from regional renewable energy providers.
Renewable Energy Certificates (sometimes called Credits) or RECs are a product on public energy markets, and each certificate directly represents actual, renewable energy generated from wind, gas, hydro and solar resources.
The regional transmission network, sometimes called the “grid” has many different power supplies feeding into it. Some are renewable and others or not. The US has many different power networks, and RECs are sometimes available for purchase within our network or perhaps from others. Ultimately, when connected to the “grid,” there’s little way of knowing where your power comes from at any time. However, RECs create a way of guaranteeing an increased share of renewable energy available to all of us.”
With the Grand Haven Sustainability & Energy Commission receiving over $100,000 in donations and the worldwide push to go green, I’m shocked by the extremely low enrollment in this program.
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