1. What is the Green Power Program?
2. What is green power?
This is a voluntary customer-choice program that stimulates the demand of electricity generated from renewable, environment-friendly resources, often referred to as “green power.”
Electricity generated from renewable resources such as wind, solar, geothermal, biomass, and low-impact hydroelectric resources. The resources are considered better for the environment than fossil fuels because they produce few, if any, pollutants.
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3. How does this program help our environment?
Since 2001, more than 2,000 customers have chosen to support green power. Their collective environmental impact is the equivalent of planting more than 7,000 acres of trees (that's over 10 square miles) or not driving more than 5,000 vehicles per year.4. How can I participate?
It’s easy, completely voluntary and open to all Idaho Power customers! To participate, simply complete the electronic sign-up form. The amount you designate will go entirely toward green energy. You decide how much you wish to contribute toward clean energy for a better environment. You may also print the sign-up form and mail it to us.
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5. Where will the green power come from?
Idaho Power’s program will use a mixture of Green-e certified resources in the Northwest with an emphasis on wind and solar from locations such as the Stateline Wind Energy Center straddling the Oregon and Washington border. With the help of the Bonneville Environmental Foundation (BEF), Idaho Power taps into these and other green energy supplies. For more information, see the Green Power Resources page.6. What is Bonneville Environmental Foundation?
BEF is an independent, non-profit organization, comprised of industry-respected leaders. It serves as the broker to facilitate green energy transactions from resources (such as the wind farm noted above) that have been carefully screened and endorsed by leading environmental groups and are Green-e compliant. BEF is located in Portland, Ore.
BACK TO TOP7. How will green power be delivered to my home or business?
Electricity generated by the Green Power Program will be fed into the overall Northwest power supply grid. This power “pool” combines all sources of electricity including green resources. Electricity for your home or business is drawn from the overall electric supply system. You will see no difference in how you receive your power, but as a program participant you will be supporting the environment and increasing generation of renewable energy.
8. Will the power cost more?
While the cost for producing electricity from renewable resources has decreased over the years, it still remains higher than traditional least-cost resources such as large, hydropower generation. The premium for green power is less than a penny per kilowatt -hour.The dollar amount you choose to contribute will buy down the premium of the cost to produce green resources.
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9. How is the money used?
10. Will my contribution be tax deductible?
All program funds are used to purchase green energy through the Bonneville Environmental Foundation and develop new renewables through our Solar 4R Schools program. No customer contributions are allocated to program overhead or marketing expenses. Your payment goes directly to bringing green energy to the Northwest power grid. As a result, program participants will directly increase the percentage of renewable energy on our grid system and provide generating resources for years to come.
No, because customer funds make a physical purchase from an operating business.
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11. How can I determine how much to contribute?
12. What if I want to change or cancel my participation?
Use our handy Green Power Contribution Calculator or use Bonneville Environmental Foundation's (BEF's) Carbon Calculator to estimate your total energy offset, including air and car travel. Or, consider this: our average residential customer uses 1,050 kilowatt-hours of electricity each month. If you were to match 100 percent of your electricity with green power, it would cost about $9.25 per month in addition to your electricity charge.
Simply notify Idaho Power at greenpower@idahopower.com or call us at 1-800-488-6151. If your designated amount is left unpaid after 60 days, Idaho Power will cancel your participation in the program.
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13. How will I know what's happening with the program?
Regular program updates will be available in your Idaho Power bill, Consumer Connection newsletter, and this Web site. The company also will regularly provide updates to the news media.14. How does this program affect people who don't subscribe?
Many Idaho Power customers value the least-cost resources that generate the company’s power supply mix and are satisfied knowing most of their electricity comes from renewable hydro resources. The Green Power Program is designed to provide an option to support other alternative resources such as wind and solar-generated power.
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15. Can businesses participate?
Yes! Business, civic and government agencies are encouraged to participate and show their concern for the environment. Find out which companies are already participating. Award recognition programs are available. Check out the Environmental Protection Agency's Green Power Partnerships and Renewable Northwest Project for details. For assistance promoting your involvement to the public, call your business account manager or e-mail us at greenpower@idahopower.com.16. Who can I talk to at Idaho Power about building my own wind farm, solar facility, or other renewable resource generation?
Scott Gates, (208) 388-2518
or
Randy Allphin, (208) 388-2614.