Renewable Energy Q&A

Renewable Energy Q&A

• Q. What is “new wind” energy?

  A. New wind power is generated by wind power projects that began operations after July 23, 1999. Because these facilities are recent additions to the electric grid, the electricity they generate offsets older forms of generation that typically generate air pollution. All of the renewable options PGE offers, wind or a combination of wind and biomass, qualify as “new”.
  

• Q. Will my power be shut off or reduced when the wind doesn’t blow?

  A. No. The reliability of your electricity service will not change. Since wind power is an “intermittent” resource, PGE fills in the gap with other resources when the wind is not blowing or blowing at a reduced level. PGE renewable power is as safe and reliable as Basic Service.
  
  There’s also no rewiring or special equipment required for your home. When you sign up for clean electricity, you are choosing how the electricity you buy is generated, not how it is delivered. PGE still owns and maintains the poles and wires that deliver electricity to you.
  

• Q. What is geothermal energy?

  A. Geothermal energy is generated from the immense amount of heat that is trapped and naturally occurring beneath the earth’s crust. Geothermal plants convert this heat into power by piping hot steam and water to the earth’s surface and using them to turn electrical turbines. Geothermal energy is most abundant in areas along the edges of tectonic plates where the ground is volcanic.
  

• Q. What is biomass energy?

  A. Biomass energy is a general term referring to the power generated from one of three sources:

  • By burning plant and organic matter or by turning that matter into a fuel that can be burned
  • By burning gases emitted by garbage as it decomposes in capped landfills
  • By burning municipal solid waste

  While the first two sources produce little to no emissions, the third produces questionable emissions, which is why PGE does not purchase this third type.

• Q. Why doesn’t PGE just give 100 percent renewable energy to everyone without charging more?

  A. PGE attempts to keep costs as low as possible for all customers. Currently, renewable power is more expensive than our traditional Basic Service mix. PGE is adding more wind power to our overall mix all the time, but for now customers who want even more renewable energy have the option to pay a little more for that choice.
  

• Q. Will renewable electricity come directly to my home or business?

  A. The renewable electricity you purchase will be delivered to the regional electricity grid, not specifically to your house or business. It is not possible from a technical or logistical perspective for utilities to add an entirely new set of power lines for solely carrying the electrons generated from renewable facilities. So, while we cannot send the renewable power directly to your location, what we can assure you is that the amount of renewable electricity you purchase will be delivered into the grid to displace the more polluting energy you would have purchased otherwise. See Third-Party Verification for more on that promise.
  

• Q. All of these options cost more. Is there any way to lower my bill?

  A. There are many ways to conserve energy. To find more information about how to cut energy costs at home or in your business, take a look at Energy Efficiency Facts.
  

• Q. What happens after I sign up?

  A. We enter your information into a database. Within a few weeks you will receive a welcome letter. The charge will appear on your bill one to two billing cycles later. For details about where to find the renewable charge on your bill, see Renewable Energy on My Bill.  (Note:  You will need to log in to GreenPowerOregon.com to access this page on the secure section of the site.)
  

• Q. What if I change my mind after I’ve signed up?

  A. You can switch back to traditional power at any time, with no penalty or fee. Simply call us and ask to cancel your renewable power option.
  

• Q. Who is Green Mountain Energy Company?

  A. Green Mountain Energy Co. provides energy to PGE for the Green Source and the Habitat Support options. They are the nation’s largest and fastest growing residential provider of cleaner electricity. They are the folks you see staffing tables at storefronts and events, and stopping door to door through our Courtesy Knock program. Green Mountain Energy Co. is a privately held company headquartered in Austin, Texas. For more information, visit Green Mountain Energy.
  

• Q. If I’m already a renewable power customer, can I add Habitat Support to my current service?

  A. Yes. At any time, you can add Habitat Support to your renewable power option. Sign up online.
  

• Q. What are the environmental benefits of adding Habitat Support?

  A. This choice supports local salmon restoration projects and reduces dependence on power generation that can harm salmon. To date, Habitat Support customers have restored more than 130 miles of stream habitat in our service territory.
  

• Q. Who is the Nature Conservancy and what do they do?

  A. The Habitat Support supplement is in addition to your purchase of Green Source or Clean Wind. If you add this to your renewable power selection, you are helping the future of salmon in Oregon at our local level. The monthly $2.50 fee goes directly to The Nature Conservancy, which coordinates use of the funds to improve habitat on streams throughout our region and help preserve this historic legacy for future generations.