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Enrollment and Membership
Pricing and Billing
Renewable Electricity
Other
Have a question that you don't see answered here?
Email electricity@TheEnergy.coop
or call 215 413 2122
Enrollment and Membership
How do I sign up?
You can sign up by clicking “Sign Up Now!” on our electricity page, or by
clicking here. You will need your PECO account number handy to complete
the enrollment.
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What
does it mean to be a member? Do I need to join to get electricity?
Yes, to use The Energy Cooperative's programs, you do need to become a
member. Our membership is comprised of thousands of electricity and
heating oil consumers across the Delaware Valley and this considerable
group-buying power enables The Energy Cooperative to negotiate with local
energy suppliers so that we can bring energy costs down and choose more
sustainable energy sources. As a nonprofit, member-owned cooperative, our
top priority is providing members with affordable, sustainable energy, not
turning a profit for outside investors or special interests.
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How much
does membership cost?
Membership dues are paid annually and cost $15 for households and $30 for organizations,
businesses, or landlords. Members who are experiencing financial
constraints may request a dues waiver. No proof of income or operating budget is
required.
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What if I'm already a
member for heating oil?
You will still need to complete an enrollment for electricity, but your
existing membership covers both services.
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What
is the difference between EcoChoice100 and EcoChoice20?
Purchasing EcoChoice100 means 100% of the energy you use in your
home or business comes from renewable sources (like wind, solar,
hydroelectric, and landfill gas). Purchasing EcoChoice20 means that 20% of
the energy you use would come from these same renewable sources.
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How long does it take to enroll?
Once you submit your enrollment, it should take 1 - 2 billing cycles before
you see the change to your PECO bill. The Energy Cooperative will submit
your change request to PECO immediately, but there is a 15-day waiting
period during which PECO will send you a letter notifying you of your
switch. After that 15-day waiting period, you will be switched to The
Energy Cooperative effective as of your next meter reading date. Your first
bill indicating The Energy Cooperative as your chosen supplier will come one
month after this – which may
be between 3 to 8 weeks after you submitted your enrollment with us.
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Are you limiting enrollment?
No. We have room for all who enroll.
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Is
there a bonus for signing up with The Energy Cooperative?
The Energy Cooperative does not provide sign-on bonuses, gift cards, or
other promotional incentives.
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Pricing and Billing
Will I receive one bill or two?
You will continue to receive one bill from PECO. PECO will continue to read
your meter and bill you based on your usage, but your generation and
transmission charges will reflect your enrollment with us and our
rates. You will receive one monthly bill for electric service which will
come from PECO. The bill will list customer and distribution charges
from PECO, and charges for generation and transmission from The Energy
Cooperative.
Click here
to view an example PECO bill for an Energy Cooperative electricity member.
Any questions regarding customer or distribution charges should be directed
to PECO customer service at (800) 494-4000.
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What is the length of the agreement? Will my
rates change over time?
Once
enrolled, you will receive the fixed rate that you signed up with for the
entire calendar year.
You will be notified of any changes to prices or terms of service for the
next calendar year in two separate mailings before the effective date of the
change. If you
do not cancel your service with us, The Energy Cooperative will continue to
provide electricity for the next calendar year at our then-current pricing.
Note: advertised rates for new enrollments are subject to change, however
any changes will not affect
existing members'
rates. You may cancel your service with us at any time, with no
penalty or cancellation fees.
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What are generation and transmission charges?
Your utility bill includes 5
separate types of charges: customer, distribution, generation, transmission,
and alternative energy portfolio standards. Generation and Transmission are
related to how your electricity is actually produced and getting that
electricity onto the grid. Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards represent
the minimum renewable electricity mix that is required in Pennsylvania. The
Customer and Distribution charges are related to electricity grid
infrastructure and are regulated charges given by PECO.
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How will my bill be calculated?
The price for
the usage portion of your bill (generation and transmission) will appear as
the rate agreed to on your enrollment form times the number of kWh of power
used in the month. Your bill will also include customer and distribution
charges from PECO, plus any federal, state, and local taxes. If you
switch to us, you will no longer be charged the alternative energy portfolio
standards charge.
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Are all taxes included in your
prices?
Our rate to compare does include Gross Receipts Tax (GRT). Our rate is an
apples-to-apples comparison to PECO. Business customers would also be
subject to sales tax (Pennsylvania and/or Philadelphia). If you are exempt
from sales tax, please provide us with a completed exemption certificate (available
here).
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Can I switch
from one EcoChoice service to the other?
Yes, you can choose to switch to another supply option, e.g., switching to
EcoChoice100 from EcoChoice20. To switch, please send us an email to
electricity@TheEnergy.coop or give us a call at (215) 413-2122. The change
will become effective as of your next meter reading date.
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Is there a cancellation fee or penalty fee for switching suppliers?
Are there deposit, enrollment or cancellation fees?
There are no
additional fees payable to The Energy Cooperative beyond the annual
membership dues. The generation and transmission charges for your usage will
be listed on your PECO bill every month. We do not have a
cancellation fee, so you can cancel your service at any time without
penalty.
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Does The
Energy Cooperative offer a budget billing plan?
PECO customers can continue to use PECO’s budget billing program for their
PECO charges and for The Energy Cooperative’s generation and transmission
charges. Please contact PECO customer service for more information on
PECO’s budget billing plan.
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Are there any additional discounts for signing up multiple accounts?
One of the advantages of getting your electricity through The Energy
Cooperative is that, as a cooperative, our members are aggregating their
energy needs in order to ensure that everyone gets access to fair,
affordable, and stable prices. While we don’t offer any bulk discounts to
members with multiple accounts, your membership in the cooperative means you
are part of an organization whose model is already built on group-buying
power. For most members, multiple accounts are covered under one membership.
Click here for more details
about what your membership covers.
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Can I save money if I am a residential heating (RH) customer (e.g., I heat
my home with electric heat)?
Currently, the average Residential Heating customer will pay less money by
staying with PECO. This is because PECO provides a discounted heating rate
for winter time usage above 600 kWh. The Energy Cooperative’s rates in the
summer months will likely save you money, but we can’t guarantee you’ll save
money for the entire year.
PECO plans to reduce the residential heating
discount by 50% on 1/1/2012 and eliminate the discount entirely by
12/31/2012.
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What are off-peak rates? What time are the off-peak rates effective?
Off-peak rates are only available for those customers with an off-peak
meter.
PECO plans to reduce the off-peak rate by 50% on 1/1/2012 and eliminate the
rate entirely by 12/31/2012. PECO is
not installing new off-peak meters.
Off-peak service is not based
upon usage at specific times of the day, but rather it is based on PECO’s
ability to turn off power to the meter for several hours during the middle
of the day (typically off-peak meters are connected to household water
heaters).
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Renewable Electricity
Does The Energy Cooperative offer a choice of energy sources, such as
renewable energy?
Both of our electricity
options come from renewable energy sources, either in part or in full. We offer a choice between
EcoChoice20, which is 20% renewable electricity and 80% conventional
electricity, and EcoChoice100 which is 100% renewable
electricity.
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What are renewable
electricity sources?
Renewable electricity sources are electricity generation sources
that do not use fossil fuels. By harnessing the power of water, sun,
and wind, members of
The Energy Cooperative are choosing to get their electricity in ways that
are more sustainable and better for the environment than many traditional
generation sources.
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What is the composition of your electricity? Where do you get it from?
For 2010, our electricity
was composed of approximately 88%
low-impact hydroelectric, 10% wind and 2% solar power. The low-impact hydroelectric
power comes from a
plant in Huntington County, PA, the
wind from within
Pennsylvania, and the solar from the rooftops of our members right here in
Southeastern PA. In 2011 and beyond, we anticipate that we will explore
other renewable electricity generation sources.
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Why is it important to purchase renewable electricity that comes from within
Pennsylvania?
As a Pennsylvania cooperative, it’s central to who we are to make
sure that our energy comes from within our state so that the various
benefits – economic and environmental – are localized. Many other
energy suppliers provide renewable electricity that is being produced
in other states, often in distant places like Texas or California. Our commitment to our members
is that we guarantee that all of the renewable electricity you use will be
generated in-state.
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I hear you buy solar power from your members. Can you help me get solar
panels installed? Will you buy my power?
In 2002, The
Energy Cooperative began buying solar power from several of our members who
had photovoltaic (solar) systems installed on their properties. That
program is currently capped and no new members are being accepted at this
time. The Energy Cooperative itself does not do solar panel installation or
assist with grants or rebates associated with solar panel
installation. Additional resources related to solar power may be found on
our links pages.
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Other
Is The Energy Cooperative licensed by the Pennsylvania Public Utility
Commission (PUC)?
Yes, we are. Our
license number on file with the PA PUC is A-110056.
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Are you a utility like PECO? Can I use you instead?
The Energy
Cooperative is a licensed electricity generation supplier, but we are not a utility
like PECO, which means we cannot replace PECO as your complete end-to-end
supplier. What we offer is electricity generated by renewable sources for those
interested in purchasing renewable power. To enroll in our program,
you need to have an existing PECO account in good standing. Once enrolled,
you will remain a PECO customer, but the generation of power will come from The
Energy Cooperative rather than PECO's sources.
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I have solar panels. Does The Energy Cooperative honor net metering?
The Energy Cooperative currently honors net metering down to a zero dollar
bill for your generation and transmission charges. If you have a significant
amount of surplus generation each month, you may want to remain with PECO’s
default service as The Energy Cooperative does not currently provide forward
crediting of the surplus electricity generation.
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If I move, will my service with The Energy Cooperative be transferred to my
new residence?
Unfortunately, since you receive a new PECO account number when you move to
a new location, your service will default back to PECO and you will need to
re-enroll for electricity with us using your new account number.
Simply log on to your
existing account using your email address and submit the new account number
and new service location. The new account number must have electricity
service turned on before we can switch it to us. There is no need to
contact us about dropping the old account (PECO will notify us directly),
but it is helpful to let us know that you've moved so that we can update
your membership information as well.
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If I use The Energy Cooperative as my supplier, can I still participate in
PECO’s rebate and savings programs?
Yes. Even if you have an alternate supplier, you are still eligible to
participate in most of PECO’s programs like Smart AC Saver, Smart Appliance
Recycling and Smart Home Rebates for purchasing energy efficient appliances.
If you have difficulty receiving any of these benefits or participating in
PECO’s programs, please contact us and we would be happy to follow up with
PECO on your behalf.
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Can I still use PECO’s Customer Assistance Program (CAP) if I enroll with
The Energy Cooperative?
No, you cannot be use an alternate supplier if you're enrolled in PECO's CAP
program. Since PECO’s CAP rates are the lowest rates that you can
receive, it is best for you to stay with PECO and enrolled in CAP.
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