| Frequently Asked Questions About NOPEC’s Agreement With Green Mountain Energy Co. Q: What is the relationship between NOPEC and Green Mountain Energy Company? A: On Feb. 14, 2001, Green Mountain Energy Company, headquartered in Austin, Texas, was selected by the NOPEC Board of Directors as the provider of electricity for NOPEC’s residential customers. A contract was signed which runs until December, 2006. Q: What is Green Mountain Energy Company? A: Green Mountain Energy Company is the nation’s largest retail provider of cleaner electricity. Green Mountain Energysm electricity is less-polluting, reliable electricity that gives people an easy way to help clean the air we breathe. By purchasing Green Mountain Energysm electricity, the average Ohio household can avoid contributing more than 400 pounds of carbon dioxide into the air each year. The average household would have to stop driving their car nearly 450 miles to reduce carbon dioxide an equivalent amount. More information on the company can be found on the company’s website, www.greenmountain.com. Q: Why was Green Mountain Energysm electricity chosen by NOPEC? A: After considering substantive offers from two suppliers, the Board of Directors unanimously decided upon the Green Mountain Energysm brand. There were many reasons, but first and foremost was price. Under the agreement, Green Mountain Energy Company’s rates will remain below the FirstEnergy standard-offer price for electricity generation for the length of the contract, with the savings ranging between one and three percent depending on the year of the program. This would be in addition to the 5 percent rate reduction mandated by the State of Ohio as part of the deregulation process, meaning NOPEC customers will pay from six to eight percent less for electricity generation than they did before deregulation. Q: What other factors led to the selection of Green Mountain Energy Company? A: The company’s reliance on cleaner generating sources was an attractive feature. In other deregulated states where customers can choose their suppliers, less-polluting energy has proven to be a very attractive option, even though it is usually sold at a premium price. NOPEC customers receive this premium product at a discounted price. Additionally, NOPEC was impressed with Green Mountain Energy Company’s reputation for community involvement. As part of the agreement, Green Mountain Energy Company will be running a wind study to explore the feasibility of establishing a “wind farm” in Northeastern Ohio. They will also be conducting a Solar Powered Schools program for 8 qualifying schools throughout the region. Q: When did the new service start? A: For NOPEC customers living in Ohio Edison service areas, Green Mountain Energysm service began in September, 2001. Service for Cleveland Electric Illuminating Co. customers began in November. Q: What were the changes in my service? A: None. Deregulation affects only the electric generation portion of your bill, with all other utility functions remaining unchanged. In other words, NOPEC customers are buying cleaner, Green Mountain Energysm electricity, but transmission, service, repairs, billing, and other service functions are still the responsibility of the utility. The only thing that changes is the generation source of the electricity you’ve purchased. Q: What about commercial customers? A: Currently, the contract with Green Mountain Energy Company applies to residential, governmental, and small commercial only. Q: Are people who move into a NOPEC community during the life of the contract eligible to be included? A: Yes. The contract covers all residents of a community who do not opt out, even recent arrivals. People moving into a NOPEC community will be mailed an Opt Out notice, which they may return if they do not wish to be enrolled in the NOPEC/Green Mountain Energysm electricity program. |
|
 |
Site designed & maintained by Web Refinements  |
