A diversified energy portfolio for our members.
What is the Green Choice Program?
Green Choice is an attainable renewable energy program that allows our local community to set renewable portfolio goals that are reachable within a short period of time. Green Choice is designed for members on the Small or Medium General Service rate who want to offset their energy usage with renewable energy certificates, (RECs).
YVEA's Power Mix is 32% Renewable!
Because the YVEA power mix is already 32% renewable, our members only need to offset 68% of their usage to become a 100% clean energy user. As we add more renewables to our power mix, we will adjust the percentage Green Choice participants need to purchase to reach 100%.
Green Choice Program Information
Each block costs only $0.60 cents and represents 100 kWh of renewable energy. Sign up for as little as one block, or enough to offset your entire usage with green power.
Because the YVEA power mix is already 32% renewable, our members only need to offset 68% of their usage to become a 100% clean energy user. As we add more renewables to our power mix, we will adjust the percentage Green Choice participants need to purchase to reach 100%.
Please fill out the inquiry form on our website at www.yvea.com/green-choice-program or call us at 970-879-1160 to sign up.
You may cancel your Green Choice subscription at any time.
If you reach 100% clean energy (68% of your usage offset by Green Choice blocks), you may request a program certificate suitable for displaying in your home or business.
YVEA will aggregate the number of blocks purchased and retire renewable energy credits (RECs) on behalf of Green Choice participants.
What are REC's?
Video from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) explaining what renewable energy certificates are
Green Choice and RECs FAQ's
In 2002, Yampa Valley Electric Association (YVEA) created a Green Power Renewable Energy Credit (REC) program and associated tariff when YVEA leadership signed a contract with Xcel Energy to purchase wind power from Ponnequin Wind Farm in Weld County. The “Wind Program” was created to resell this power in 100 kWh blocks to membership for $0.60 each. This was one of the nation’s first voluntary renewable (green) energy programs. Today, to support our members who want to purchase renewable energy we have enhanced our wind program and are now offering the Green Choice Program.
Green Choice blocks are sold in 100 kWh increments. The amount of 100 kWh blocks needed to bring your home or business up to 100% clean energy will be calculated by averaging your annual electricity usage and rounding to the nearest increment of 100. For example, if you use an average of 849 kWh per month, you will need to purchase 849 kwh X .68 = 526 kWh= 5 Green Choice blocks which will cost an additional $3.00 per month.
Each Green Choice block is $0.60 per 100 kWh block. Sign up for one block, or enough to offset your entire kWh usage. Since YVEA is already powered by 32% renewable energy, participants must purchase enough blocks to offset 68% of their average monthly usage to claim 100% clean energy.
Green Choice is a Renewable Energy Certificate (REC) program. In order to exclusively supply renewable power directly to your home or business, you would need to put a clean power generation source at your location, such as a solar array or wind turbine. The YVEA power mix is currently 32% renewable.
A REC (Renewable Energy Certificate) represents proof that one megawatt-hour (1000 kilowatt hours) of electricity was generated from a renewable energy resource. These can be sold separately from the physical electricity associated with the renewable generation source.
What is a REC Video
For a very affordable price, Green Choice allows you to participate in the renewable energy market. YVEA is mandated to have a certain percentage of renewable energy certificates. If enough of our members purchase them from us, it could require YVEA to purchase more RECs, thus creating more demand for renewable power generation.
A majority of our RECs come from Xcel, our wholesale power provider. Some additional RECs come from the local Stagecoach hydroelectric dam.
We will retire the RECs purchased through Green Choice in our tracking system, which will prevent anyone else from claiming them.
No, you can only offset the total amount of energy you use.
Yes, you can purchase as little as one 100 kWh block.
We are grandfathering in these participants. You may continue at your current subscription level. If you would like a Green Choice certificate, you will need to offset 68% of your usage with Green Choice blocks.
Currently the program is only offered to Small and Medium General service classes.
Our Large General service class will be considered by request.
All the RECs YVEA has are certified and registered with Western Renewable Energy Generation Information System (WREGIS).