NC GREENPOWER AVAILABLE NOW:
FIRST STEP TOWARD OCTOBER KICKOFF
July 28, 2003
North Carolina customers of Duke Energy, Dominion and Progress Energy
and other participating power utilities throughout the state can
begin today to voluntarily contribute toward developing more renewable
energy resources in North Carolina by signing up for NC GreenPower.
NC GreenPower, an independent nonprofit organization, was approved
by the North Carolina Utilities Commission to provide North Carolinians
with greater options for their energy sources. The NC GreenPower
program is administered by Advanced Energy, an independent, nonprofit
corporation with a 21-year history of working with renewable energy,
energy efficiency and the electric utilities. NC GreenPower is committed
to improving environmental protection by increasing renewable energy
sources such as wind, solar and biomass (landfill gas, as well as
agricultural waste, wood waste and animal waste).
To choose renewable energy, residential customers of utilities voluntarily
contribute a minimum of $4 per month for NC GreenPower on their electric
bills. Businesses can also participate and take advantage of large
volume discounts. The contributions will be used to add renewable
energy sources to North Carolina’s power supply. To make a
contribution, customers should call their energy companies. All contributions
are collected and given in full to NC GreenPower; the utilities keep
none of the monies.
NC GreenPower said today’s start will give the organization
a chance to smooth out customer services and renewable power purchase
systems prior to a major marketing kickoff in October.
“This landmark program for purchasing renewable energy is a
totally new approach for our state and country,” said Carl
Wilkins, program manager for NC GreenPower. “This first step
to test everything now will ensure that the utilities and NC GreenPower
will be ready come October.”
Availability of the program meets the Utilities Commission’s
requirement that NC GreenPower be in business by July 29, 2003.
Beginning in October, the majority of customers of North Carolina
ElectriCities and North Carolina Electric Membership Corporation
will be able to sign up for NC GreenPower.
For additional information contact:
Carl Wilkins
(919) 857-9008
Sharon Gladwell
(919) 857-9058
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