Ryan Link is the Director of Utility Partnerships for the eastern region with 3Degrees. 3Degrees provides green power and carbon offset products and services, including Maine’s new ‘Maine Green Power’ program that allows Mainers to support renewable energy generated right here in Maine. Ryan talks about this new program and how Mainers can participate in the development of home-grown renewable energy.
SRG: What is Maine Green Power?
RL: It’s a brand new way to support renewable energy production in Maine, developed by the Public Utilities Commission and it’s open to just about every Mainer—whether you’re a home owner, renter, or a business. When you enroll your home, apartment, or business, the program purchases renewable energy credits (RECs) from local renewable energy projects on your behalf. This is proof that renewable energy was generated and delivered to the local electrical grid, reducing the need for non-renewable energy generation – which creates measurable environmental benefits.
You then own those environmental benefits, and have exclusive claim to that local, Maine-based green power.
SRG: What does it mean to “own environmental benefits” and “have claim to green power”?
RL: Right now most Mainers are supporting a mix of traditional sources of energy when they pay their electric bill. The average generation mix for the region includes roughly 57% fossil fuels and 30% nuclear. When you sign up for a certain amount of Maine Green Power it means that you’ve matched your existing electrical use from traditional sources like coal, gas, and nuclear with the equivalent amount of renewable energy. You get to claim the green power for your home or business even though it may not be delivered directly to your house.
SRG: Are there other options in Maine that do something similar? And if so, how is Maine Green Power different?
RL: Maine Green Power is the only program in the state that is sponsored by the Public Utilities Commission and allows you to support renewable energy by running it through your regular utility bill. We also understand it’s unique in its support of 100% in-state renewable energy (and the local jobs that come with it).
There are a variety of ways to support renewables, including installing a solar panel on your roof. We designed Maine Green Power to be simple for everyone. If you pay an electric bill, just sign up, and know you’re making a difference every day. Regardless of whether you’re on the Standard Offer or you’ve chosen a competitive supplier, you can add Maine Green Power to your service.
SRG: How does someone sign up for Maine Green Power and what does it cost for an average homeowner in Maine?
RL: We’ve tried to make sure it is affordable, with a 500 kilowatt-hour Block costing $7.50 per month (which roughly matches the usage of the average Maine home).
Depending on your usage, you may want to opt for the ½ Block option for $3.75 or the 2 Block option for $15 per month. Businesses can enroll for any quantity of Blocks, and we’re excited to help them spread word of their involvement to their sustainability-minded customers.
The best way to sign up is at the new website: www.megreenpower.com
SRG: What are some of the renewable energy projects in Maine that Maine Green Power supports?
RL: Eligible projects include solar, biomass, hydro (meeting state and local fish passage requirements), wind, geothermal, and tidal projects. We’ll issue an annual report each year detailing the mix of renewable energy credits purchased for the prior year.
SRG: What are your goals for MGP in terms of the amount of support you will generate and the potential it has to change our energy system?
RL: The impact in the state will grow with every customer who enrolls, and the potential is huge; voluntary demand for renewable energy across the nation has grown an average of 26% a year since 2006 according to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, and that has spurred tremendous development. Maine is already a leader in renewable energy production (with roughly 90% of the installed wind capacity in New England), and, given the tremendous renewable resources in the state, there’s significant room for growth driven by demand.
SRG: Is there anything else you’d like to add?
RL: There’s power in numbers. We’d encourage you to sign up today at www.megreenpower.com, then spread the word and connect with the program on Facebook or Twitter.
