Electric utility may give green option: Renewable energy plan carries fee at FirstEnergy

FirstEnergy Corp. customers who are willing to pay a premium to be environmentally friendly might have the opportunity by early summer.

FirstEnergy, the Ohio Consumers' Counsel and staff of the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio worked together on the proposed "Green Pricing Option," which still needs PUCO approval. If approved, FirstEnergy customers would be able to pay an extra amount, estimated at $5 a month for 200 kilowatt hours, to have the utility buy renewable energy certificates.

That would not mean that customers would literally get the green energy at their homes, but their money would help add green-based kilowatt hours on the grid, said FirstEnergy spokeswoman Ellen Raines. If approved, the green-based energy offering would satisfy orders by the Ohio Supreme Court that the Akron-based utility come up with alternative market-based rates for electricity prices as part of its rate stabilization plan.

The Ohio Consumers' Counsel, the state's residential utility advocate, had appealed the utility's plan to the state supreme court. FirstEnergy's green plan is very similar to a plan that was approved by the PUCO for AEP recently, said PUCO spokeswoman Shana Eiselstein. The green option gives FirstEnergy customers an alternative, said Ryan Lippe, spokesman for the Ohio Consumers' Counsel.

"FirstEnergy customers can pay a little bit more and make a difference," he said. Customers who sign up for the program could buy a minimum of 200 kilowatt hours of renewable energy credits each month. The company would actually go out and buy the renewable credits, which could cost about $5 a month for 200 kwh.

Customers could choose to purchase more. The average residential customer uses 850 kilowatts of electricity. Green energy could come from a variety of 15 options, including wind, solar photo voltaic, hydro and landfill gas. Raines said FirstEnergy has some wind power in its portfolio, but customers don't pay an extra premium for it.

Related News

Hoa Binh Hydropower Plant

Construction of expanded Hoa Binh Hydropower Plant to start October 2020

VIETNAM - The extended Hoa Binh Hydropower Plant, which is expected to break ground in October 2020, is considered the largest power project to be constructed this year.

Covering an area of 99.2 hectares, the project is invested by Electricity of Vietnam (EVN). Besides, Vietnam Electricity Power Projects Management Board No.1 (EVNPMB1) is the representative of the investor and Power Engineering Consulting JSC 1 (EVNPECC1) is in charge of building the feasibility report for the project. The expanded Hoa Binh Hydro Power Plant has a total investment of VND9.22 trillion ($400.87 million), 30 per cent of which is EVN’s equity and…

READ MORE
starting-texas-schools-after-labor-day

Starting Texas Schools After Labor Day: Power Grid and Cost Benefits?

READ MORE

tube-strikes-disrupt-london-economy

Tube Strikes Disrupt London Economy

READ MORE

us grid and climate change

The biggest problem facing the U.S. electric grid isn't demand. It's climate change

READ MORE

Quebec premier inaugurates La Romaine hydroelectric complex

READ MORE