 What is Green Power?
Green power is electricity generated by sustainable resources such as solar, wind, and even decomposing garbage in selected landfills. In all cases, green power minimizes harm to the environment.
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Why is this program being offered?
Santee Cooper and the Electric Cooperatives of South Carolina are working together on the Green Power Program in response to increased customer interest in renewable energy and concern for the environment. By taking this initial step to meet and encourage the growing demand for renewable energy, we can help reduce reliance solely on limited generation resources while improving the preserving the environment for future generations.
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Where does the electricity for the Green Power Program come from?
The renewable energy source is methane gas produced at the Horry County Solid Waste Authority and the Lee County Landfill SC, LLC. The methane gas from the decomposing garbage powers engines that turn generators which produce 8.7 megawatts of electricity. Because of the strong demand, more landfills in Richland and Anderson counties are being constructed.
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What is methane gas and how is it renewable?
Waste put into landfills decomposes over time. Landfill gas is the product of this process, which is made up of different components. Methane is one of these and is the most valuable as a fuel. This gas is considered renewable because it is produced through natural decomposition of organic materials.
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How does renewable energy differ from other energy sources?
Today, most electricity comes from limited generation resources. Renewable resources, such as the sun, wind and decomposing garbage, provide a regenerating fuel source of electricity. Using renewable resources to produce electricity will help reduce the need to use conventional generators powered by limited generation resources.
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How does the Green Power Program help better the environment?
Renewable resources replace themselves naturally so they produce little or no air pollutants or waste. In using the methane emitted by decomposing garbage as fuel for generating power, we can significantly reduce the amount of greenhouse gas that otherwise would go into the atmosphere.
At full capacity, the 8.7 megawatt plant has the same positive environmental impact as planting more than 47,000 acres of trees, enough to cover an area of almost 75 square miles.
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Does burning methane gas have other benefits?
If methane is released directly into the atmosphere, it is a potent greenhouse gas. In fact, its global-warming potential is 21 times greater than that of carbon dioxide. Landfill gas can be flared (the simplest option), but using it to generate energy encourages more efficient collection and thereby reduces emissions into the atmosphere. For this reason, energy recovery from landfill methane, where economically viable, is of considerable benefit to the environment.
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Why does renewable energy cost more?
Facilities that use renewable resources to generate electricity are currently expensive to build and operate. Increased customer demand by people like you for renewable energy will lead to further development of renewable technologies.
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If I purchase Green Power, will I notice a difference in my electric service?
No. You will not notice a difference in your electric service when you sign-up for the Green Power Program. The renewable energy purchased by participants will be pooled with the energy from conventional sources and will be delivered through the same power lines.
In fact, you cant really separate electrons on the electric lines to know which electricity you are getting to your house or business. What you can be assured of is that less energy from conventional sources is being produced.
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How much will my participation in the Green Power Program cost?
Your cost will vary depending on how many blocks you chose to buy. Each block purchased will add an additional $3 to your monthly electric bill. For residential members, rates are:
- $3 per month for 1 block (100kWh)
- $6 per month for 2 blocks (200kWh)
- $9 per month for 3 blocks (300kWh)
You can choose to purchase any number of blocks for $3 each. Your participation will show on your electric bill within one to two months.
Participation in Green Power is voluntary. A member may discontinue participation in Green Power at any time.
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Where will my money go?
All revenues (100%) from the Green Power Program premiums will be reinvested in future development of additional renewable resources or facilities.
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If everyone receives the environmental benefits, shouldn?t everyone pay?
That is a strong argument, but we also have to meet our other objectives of providing low cost reliable power. Since green power costs more, we do not feel it is fair to shift these costs to those customers who choose not to participate.
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Are there tax incentives for buying Green Power?
There are no current tax incentives for purchasing Green Power.
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What is accreditation and why is it important?
The Center for Resource Solutions (CRS) is a non-profit organization based in California dedicated to promoting renewable energy and economic and environmental sustainability. They certify green power options and ensure that consumers get exactly what they pay for. This means that all of the renewable energy customers pay for is delivered into the electric grid.
Electric companies who go through the accreditation process all have to sign CRSs Code of Conduct and meet environmental as well as consumer protection standards. You can be sure that if a program is CRS accredited, it is truly a best practice green choice.
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