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Renewable Energy Certificates
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Renewable Energy Certificates

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Renewable Energy Credits

Enhance your sustainability with renewable energy


At OPPD, we believe in the power of choice. Your choice to make a positive impact on the environment, offset your carbon footprint and embrace a sustainable future begins with Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs).

THE POWER OF RECs

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How does it work?

The Renewable Energy Certificates (REC) program allows you to offset your carbon footprint by assigning the rights to renewable energy to your business. Since the electricity customers receive from OPPD is co-mingled, RECs are used to enable customers to claim the “renewable” attributes of renewable energy. For an additional fee on your monthly bill, you can claim the energy powering your business is from renewable energy sources.

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How to Participate

OPPD commercial and industrial customers can be 100% renewable in 2024 for about 1/3rd of a penny per kilowatt-hour ($3.34 per megawatt-hour)! Simply choose what percentage of your monthly energy usage you want to come from renewable energy and OPPD will add the charges to your regular monthly bill. Customers with an Account Executive or Senior Account Executive can reach out to them to begin the enrollment process.

Enroll now

 

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YOUR IMPACT

Why RECs Matter

RECs are the accepted legal method for substantiating renewable energy use claims. They provide certified proof that you are receiving renewable energy without requiring you to install a renewable generation system at your business. In effect, RECs are a tracking system for renewable energy.

Your Energy Partner

Choosing OPPD and RECs means partnering with us to offset your carbon footprint. Our collaboration empowers your business to make impactful environmental strides while ensuring cost-efficient operations.

OPPD can be your ultimate energy partner by helping you achieve your sustainability goals.  

 

Questions?

Check out the FAQs below. If you still have questions, please contact your Account Executive, email ProductsAndServices@oppd.com or call 531-226-3510. See Terms and Conditions.


Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to participate?

The current cost is $0.00334 per kilowatt-hour ($3.34 per megawatt-hour). The amount you pay each month will depend on how much energy your business uses and the portion of your usage that you choose to have matched. The REC program charge equates to an additional $3.34 per 1,000kWh of energy usage.


Who is eligible to participate?

Customers taking service under demand rates (Rate Schedule Numbers 231, 231M, 232, 245, 250, 261M and 357) are eligible to participate in OPPD’s REC Program.

Small business customers (Rate Schedule Numbers 226, 230 and 230M) are eligible to participate in OPPD’s Renewable Choice for Business program.

All residential customers (Rate Schedule Numbers 110 and 115) are eligible to participate in OPPD’s Renewable Choice for Residential program.


Will the cost change over time?

OPPD performs an annual review to determine the price for the coming year. OPPD determines the price based on market indicators, the value added by specific attributes offered through this program and expected administration costs. OPPD may be required to alter the price mid-year in cases of extenuating circumstances but customers will be notified and can opt-out of the program in advance of any price changes.


Is the renewable energy supplied directly to my business?

No. Energy from renewable generation facilities flows into the grid where it mixes with energy from traditional power plants making it impossible to track where the energy powering your business originated.


Will I still have power during periods of low wind generation?

Yes. The REC program does not affect your physical electric service.


What are my enrollment options?

You can choose to match 10%-100% of your monthly energy usage in 10% increments.


How will I be billed?

REC program charges are added to your monthly bill. The monthly charge is based on your energy usage, the chosen energy usage match percentage and the program price as determined by OPPD.


Is there a long-term commitment?

Participants are billed month-to-month and can cancel or change their participation level in the program at any time, at no cost.


Can I participate in the REC program if I am a renter?

Customers who receive a bill directly from OPPD can participate. The REC program does not require any physical changes to your business so renters are eligible to participate in the program. Renters who do not receive a bill directly from OPPD should discuss enrollment with their landlord.


Can I participate in this program if I have solar on my business?

Yes. Customers who are in OPPD’s Net Metering program will be billed for the net amount of energy they import each month. Customers will not receive additional bill credits through the REC program if they are a net exporter in a given month.


Where does the renewable energy originate?

The RECs are sourced from the wind generators OPPD receives energy from through power purchase agreements. A complete list of renewable resources can be found in the OPPD Service Area Map. OPPD may secure RECs from other sources if the demand for this program exceeds the number of RECs supplied by owned or contracted resources. RECs sold under this program will be generated in the same calendar year the energy is consumed.


How are the revenues from the Renewable Energy Certificates program used?

Funds will be used to support projects that are dedicated to carbon reduction at OPPD facilities.


What is a Renewable Energy Certificate (REC)?

RECs are one way in which renewable energy is purchased and tracked. One REC equals one megawatt-hour (1,000 kilowatt-hours) of renewable energy. When renewable energy is produced, it includes two components; the kilowatt-hours of energy produced and the environmental attributes of the energy – the “claim” of renewable energy. RECs represent the environmental attributes of energy produced by a renewable generation facility. Learn more about RECs.


How will the RECs be delivered to me?

Participants in the REC program will not receive a physical copy of the RECs purchased. OPPD will instead publicly retire the RECs in a REC registry on your behalf annually.


What does it mean to “retire” a REC?

Retiring a REC means the REC has been used by the owner and can no longer be sold or otherwise transferred. RECs are retired in a REC registry - online software that creates, tracks and ultimately removes RECs from circulation. A registry is used to ensure the same REC is not claimed by multiple people by providing transparency and traceability.


Will I receive any documentation for the RECs I purchase?

Participants will receive documentation on the number of RECs retired by OPPD on their behalf.