review cooperative
may 2013
Energy for Today, Power for Tomorrow
looking out for members while meeting state mandate The Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Portfolio Standard (REPS), enacted by the NC General Assembly in August 2007, requires electric cooperatives to ensure that a percentage of the electricity they sell is generated from renewable energy sources or energy efficiency programs. An incremental compliance schedule establishes that by 2018, 10 percent of each cooperative’s energy sales must come from renewable energy and energy efficiency. Over time, the costs to meet the requirements of this law have changed. The NC Renewables Mandate line item on your monthly electric bill is collected to cover costs of Union Power’s participation in renewable energy projects here in our service area and joint projects with other North Carolina cooperatives. An Energy Efficiency fee is added to your energy charge to cover the cost of energy efficiency programs associated with meeting the state’s mandated requirements. The NC Renewables Mandate charge is adjusted annually to reflect the anticipated costs for compliance with the REPS mandate for that year for each customer class (residential and commercial) and applies to all cooperative members on a per meter basis. Union Power As part of Union Power’s portfolio of renewable resources, we participate in joint renewable energy projects with other electric cooperatives across the state. These include the solar energy facility at North Carolina’s QVC Rocky Mount, Inc. distribution center and a Wind Energy Center in Story County, Iowa. In addition, the state’s utilities, including Union Power, are seeking swine waste-to-energy projects.
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Cooperative’s monthly schedule for 2013 is $0.28 for residential consumers and $3.54 for commercial consumers.
Meeting the REPS Mandate Energy efficiency plays a big part in meeting the REPS mandate, and Union Power strives to provide programs that help our members save energy and money:
in this issue: Energy Efficiency Program Helps Farmer B Play it Safe — Ask for ID C Value of Electricity
D
•• Our Fridge & Freezer Farewell Program has been highly successful. The Co-op continues the program in 2013 with free pickup and recycling, a $50 rebate, and even a chance to win $100 (see page E of this issue)!
Outdoor Electrical Safety for Children
E
Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month
F
•• We provide energy-saving compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) to residential members via free complimentary mailings and handouts at member meetings.
Co-op Connections
G
Right-of-Way Clearing H
•• Energy efficiency information on no-cost and low-cost measures is shared through our monthly newsletter and Your Energy Advisor online at union-power.com. •• We assist members with the purchase of high-efficiency heating and cooling systems through our heat pump loan program. •• Members can examine ways to reduce energy consumption through our partnership with TogetherWeSave.com, also accessed through union-power.com. •• We work with our member businesses to help them find energy efficiency solutions. For more information on any of the Co-op’s energy efficiency programs, visit us anytime at union-power.com.
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