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GreenPower From Lynches River EC

GreenPower from Lynches River Electric Cooperative

GreenPower has arrived in the state of South Carolina! It is power electrically generated by renewable resources such as solar, wind, and even decomposing garbage in selected landfills. These resources are replenished naturally and minize harm to the environment. View the image to the right to learn more.

Lynches River Electric Cooperative is launching the GreenPower Program in response to increased member 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 the reliance on limited resources while improving and preserving the environment for future generations. Learn how Lynches River is giving this knowledge to our younger generation.

How do I enroll: Members just need to fill out our online form or contact Lynches River EC and tell us you are interested in our GreenPower Program.

To get the latest Green Power news, click the links below.

2011:

Spring

Summer

Fall

GreenPower and You (Frequently Asked Questions)

Question List:

1. What is GreenPower?
2. Why is Lynches River Electric Cooperative offering the GreenPower Program to its member-owners?
3. Where does the electricity for the GreenPower Program come from?
4. What is methane gas and how is it renewable?
5. How does renewable energy differ from other energy sources?
6. Do Lynches River member-owners actually receive GreenPower?
7. Why does renewable energy cost more?
8. Where will my money go?
9. How does the GreenPower Program help better the environment?
10. What is accreditation and why is it important?
11. How much will my participation in the GreenPower Program cost?
12. How do I enroll?
13. How will I be billed?
14. How will my electricity bill be calculated?
15. How much will my total electricity service cost including utility charges?
16. Will my electricity rates change over time?
17. What fuel sources will be used to generate my power?
18. If I want to terminate this agreement/contract, what is the early termination fee?
19. What length of agreement/contract is required?
20. What other fees might I be charged?

Q: What is GreenPower?

A: It is electricity generated by renewable resources like solar, wind and methane gas from decomposing garbage. These resources are replenished naturally and minimize harm to the environment.

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Q: Why is Lynches River Electric Cooperative offering the GreenPower Program to its member-owners?

A: Lynches River Electric Cooperative and Santee Cooper are working together on the GreenPower Program in response to increased customer interest in renewable energy and concern for the environment. One of Lynches River's core values is commitment to community. We are dedicated to improving the quality of life in the communities we serve and GreenPower will help us do that. By encouraging demand for renewable energy, we can help reduce reliance solely on limited generation resources while improving and preserving the environment for future generations.

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Q: Where does the electricity for the GreenPower Program come from?

A: The renewable energy source is methane gas produced at the Horry County Solid Waste Authority Landfill, the Lee County Landfill SC, LLC, and the Richland County Landfill. The methane gas from the decomposing garbage produces 14.2 megawatts of electricity.

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Q: What is methane gas and how is it renewable?

A: 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 to be renewable because it is produced through natural decomposition of organic materials.

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Q: How does renewable energy differ from other energy sources?

A: Today, most electricity comes from limited generation resources. Renewable resources, such as decomposing garbage, solar and wind provide a regenerating fuel source for electricity. Using renewable resources to produce electricity will help reduce the need to use conventional generators powered by limited resources.

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Q: Do Lynches River member-owners actually receive GreenPower?

A: Electricity is the flow of electrons. These electrons flow through power lines from both the Green Power generators and conventional fossil fuel generators into a "pool." Power lines carry these electrons from the "pool" to your home. It is impossible to guarantee that the electrons you receive at your electrical outlet came from the Green Power generators directly. However, you participation in this program is ensuring that electrons generated from renewable-resource generators are being added to this "pool" and less energy from conventional sources is being produced.

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Q: Why does renewable energy cost more?

A: Facilities that use renewable resources to generate electricity are currently expensive to build and operate. Increased customer demand by people for renewable energy will lead to further development of renewable technologies. Although the price is slightly higher, the impact of green power on the environment is less, rendering its value immeasurable.

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Q: Where will my money go?

A: All revenues from GreenPower premiums will be reinvested in future development of additional renewable resources or facilities.

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Q: How does the GreenPower Program help better the environment?

A: 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. Landfill gas is the only renewable energy source that, when used, actually removes pollution from the atmosphere.

At full capacity, the 14.2 megawatt plant was the same positive environmental impact as planting more than 17,800 acres of trees. A residential member-owner who invests an additional $6.00 per month for one year is equivalent to planting an 1/3 acre of trees or not driving for nearly three months.

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Q: What is accreditation and why is it important?

A: Santee Cooper's GreenPower Program has achieved national Green-e certification through the Center for Resource Solutions, based in California. Green-e certified utility programs are verified annually for their power content making sure that the electricity provider selling the power has met the Green-e Program's environmental and consumer protection standards. Green-e is the nation's leading industry certification and verification program for renewable energy products.

Electric companies who go through the accreditation process all have to sign CRS's 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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Q: How much will my participation in the GreenPower Program cost?

A: Your cost will vary depending on how many blocks a member chooses to buy. Each block purchased will add an extra $3 to a member's monthly electric bill.

For residential consumers, rates are as follows:

• $3 per month for 1 block (100 kWh)
• $6 per month for 2 blocks (200 kWh)
• $9 per month for 3 blocks (300 kWh)
• Members can also choose to purchase any number of blocks for $3 each.

Participation in Green Power is voluntary by Lynches River Electric Cooperative members. Members may discontinue participation in Green Power at any time.

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Q: How do I enroll?

A: Enrolling is easy: Members just need to fill out our online form, download the pdf version, fill it out and send it in, or contact Lynches River EC and tell us you are interested in our GreenPower Program.

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Q: How will I be billed?

A: You GreenPower charge will be listed on your monthly bill as an additional line item.

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Q: How will my electricity bill be calculated?

A: Usage rate: Your resedential rate plus $3 for each 100 kWh block of GreenPower.

Taxes and Fees: You must also pay all applicable federal, state and local taxes as well as any applicable fees.

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Q: How much will my total electricity service cost including utility charges?

A: Based on a monthly average usage of 1,000 kWh, and a purchase of one 100 kWh block of GreenPower, the following table provides you an estimate of your monthly electric bill if you receive service from Lynches River as a Residential Standard Customer and the extra monthly cost for GreenPower. Your actual bill will vary based on your use of electricity.

Monthly electricity cost: $70.50 + GreenPower Premium: $3.00 = Total: $73.50

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Q: Will my electricity rates change over time?

A: Rates are set by Lynches River's Board of Directors and are subject to change in the future.

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Q: What fuel sources will be used to generate my power?

A: The Power Content Label shows the resource mix projected for the year of 2009.

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Q: If I want to terminate this agreement/contract, what is the early termination fee?

A: There is not termination fee.

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Q: What length of agreement/contract is required?

A: The GreenPower Program is voluntary. You can cancel or change your partipation in GreenPower at anytime. There is no contract length.

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Q: What other fees might I be charged?

A: None.

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All rights reserved. Copyright 2009 - 2010, Lynches River Electric Cooperative