Renewable Choice

CWLP customers who want to neutralize the environmental impact of their monthly energy usage can do so by purchasing renewable energy credits (RECs). RECs are certificates provided by "green"-energy producers that guarantee they are generating electricity using only eligible renewable energy sources (such as solar, wind or biomass). One REC is equal to one megawatt-hour (MWH) of "green" electricity. A MWH is 1000 kilowatt-hours (kWh).

Under CWLP's Renewable Choice Program, customers can purchase RECs in 200-kWh blocks for $2 per block. Each 200-kWh block equals one-fifth of a REC and approximately 20% to 25% of the average CWLP residential customer's monthly energy consumption. There is no limit to the number of blocks a customer can purchase.

CWLP's overall energy portfolio is already approximately 20% "green," thanks to its long-term, 120-MW wind power contracts with NextEra Energy Resources LLC. So customers who wish to qualify as being totally "green" electricity consumers would need to purchase a sufficient number of RECs to cover the remaining 80% of their average monthly electricity use. The average residential customer will be able to achieve the equivalent of a 100% "green" electric bill for about an extra $8 per month.

Customers can purchase RECs through the Renewable Choice Program either as an on-going monthly commitment or on a one-time basis.

Want To Make a Monthly Commitment to Renewable Choice?
Enrollment in Renewable Choice is easy and can be done in one of four ways:

by phone	(217) 789-2070 ext. 580	Give us your information. We'll fill out the paperwork and send it to you for your signature. When you return the signed form to us, we'll place your order.
by email	Renewable.choice@cwlp.com	Include your name (as it appears on your CWLP electric account; your account number; your service address; your mailing address (if different from your service address); a daytime phone number; and the number of 200-kWh blocks of RECs you want to purchase each month.
in person	CWLP Energy Services Office 2nd Floor 231 S. Sixth Street (NW corner of 6th and Monroe)	Either bring us a completed and signed form (available for download off this website) or just come in and let us fill in the paperwork for you. We'll get your signature on the spot and you'll be enrolled immediately.
by mail	CWLP Energy Services Office Renewable Choice Program 2nd Floor 231 S. 6th Street Springfield, IL 62701	Download a copy of the appropriate form, fill it in, sign it, and mail it to us. We'll do the rest.

Customers who make a monthly commitment will have an additional $2 added to their monthly CWLP electric bill for each 200-kWh block they commit to purchase. Their green energy charge will be itemized on their bills starting in the month following their enrollment into the program and continuing until a new transaction request to increase, decrease or cancel the monthly order is made.

As a monthly participant in the Renewable Choice Program, you will receive a decal to display in the front window of your home or business. You will also receive an annual certificate from CWLP detailing the total number of RECs you purchased during the preceding year.

Want To Make a One-Time Purchase?
If you want to make a one-time purchase of one or more 200-kWh blocks for yourself or someone else, you can do so at the CWLP cashiers' window in the lobby of Municipal Center West, 300 S. 7th Street (corner of 7th and Monroe). Payment will need to be made by cash or check. If you are purchasing the RECs for someone else, you'll need to provide us with the customer's name (as it appears on the account) and the service address to which the "green" energy purchase is to be applied.

Download a Renewable Choice Purchase Form
You can download a monthly-commitment or one-time-only Renewable Choice Purchase Form from this website by clicking on the appropriate link below. Print the form and then fill it in, sign it and either mail it or bring it with you to CWLP.

To open and print these forms, you will need a recent version of Adobe Acrobat or Adobe Acrobat Reader. To download a free copy of the most recent version of Adobe Acrobat Reader, click
on this icon.

Who Can Participate in Renewable Choice?
CWLP's Renewable Choice Program was designed primarily for residential and small commercial customers. However, larger commercial can also participate. Mid- to large-size commercial customers that would like to be part of CWLP's "green" revolution, should contact 3Degrees, the company that provides the RECs for Renewable Choice. They'll be happy to provide you with information about large-scale specialty pricing. The phone number for 3Degrees is (503) 295-7781. Their website is www.3degreesinc.com.

Want To Learn More About RECs?
3Degrees, CWLP's RECs vendor, originates and provides Green-e Energy Certified Renewable Energy Certificates from around the world. The money generated by the sale of these RECs is used to help finance new renewable energy generation projects. More information about RECs can be found on the 3Degrees website or at www.wisegeek.com/what-are-renewable-energy-credits.htm.