General Questions
What is The Energy Co-op?
The Energy Co-op was founded in 1979 and over the past 40 years we have grown and expanded our energy services in order to help people buy, use, and understand energy better. We were the first renewable electricity supplier in Philadelphia and the first Renewable Natural Gas supplier in the Delaware Valley. Today, we provide the region with renewable electricity, Renewable Natural Gas, and home heating oil.
We pride ourselves on being a unique energy supplier that does things differently. As a nonprofit cooperative we are able to focus on our community in ways that most other energy suppliers do not. For 40 years we have been leading the way for affordable and sustainable energy usage in southeastern Pennsylvania.
What is a cooperative?
A consumer cooperative is a business that is started, owned, and run by its members for their benefit. This means that we exist to meet our members’ energy needs. Unlike other energy companies, if you buy your energy from The Energy Co-op, you have a say in how we do business.
Who can join The Energy Co-op?
Membership is open to everyone in the territories that we serve. If you live in southeastern Pennsylvania or northern Delaware, you qualify for heating oil membership. If you are served by PECO or PP&L for electricity, you can switch to renewable electricity from The Energy Co-op. If you live in PECO gas territory, you can sign up for our Renewable Natural Gas program.
How is The Energy Co-op different from other energy suppliers?
We’re a nonprofit cooperative that works for our members. We are owned by and are accountable directly to our membership. As a result of this, we make efforts to educate our community about responsible and sustainable energy usage. As a nonprofit, we do not engage in deceptive or misleading practices that some other suppliers use, and when you join The Energy Co-op, you are not a customer, but a member of the community with direct say in how we do business.
Are there any membership fees?
No. There are currently no fees associated with Energy Co-op membership for any of our programs. Complete transparency is one of the reasons people choose to source their energy from us instead of other energy companies. We do not use teaser rates, hidden charges, or cancellation fees for any of our programs. You are always able to check your current energy rate or the current price of oil by calling, emailing, or checking online.
What are the benefits of joining The Energy Co-op?
- No sign-up or membership fees and completely transparent pricing.
- Membership in a local, nonprofit, mission-driven organization.
- Access to member-only events in Philadelphia and the surrounding area.
- No contracts – cancel service anytime without cancellation fees.
- Cooperative ownership means that members vote on the organization’s governance and direction.
What is The Energy Co-op doing for our community?
One of our main priorities is to give back to the community that we serve. We go to schools, universities, community events, and other venues to discuss responsible, sustainable energy use. You can see us all over southeastern Pennsylvania tabling, teaching, volunteering, and discussing clean energy. Be sure to check out our blog, The Current, to see what’s happening in the local energy space. You can also follow us on Facebook and Twitter for updates on what we’re doing!
How do I join The Energy Co-op?
You can go to www.theenergy.coop/enrollment, email us at info@theenergy.coop, or call us at 215.413.2122. By signing up for one of our energy programs you become an Energy Co-op member.
What say do I have in how The Energy Co-op does business?
The Energy Co-op is accountable to its members. We hold an Annual Membership Meeting (AMM) where members will receive a report on the state of The Energy Co-op and have the opportunity to elect our Board of Directors. Our Board oversees the operations of the Co-op and is elected by the membership for two-year terms. In between AMMs, there are a variety of member events where members have the opportunity to provide their thoughts and feedback directly to The Energy Co-op.
How do I contact The Energy Co-op?
We are always happy to speak with our members (or future members!) either by email or phone. Call 215.413.2122 or email info@theenergy.coop and we will be happy to answer any and all of your questions.
Renewable Electricity Program
What is renewable electricity?
Our renewable electricity is a blend of 99% wind and 1% solar power. These clean methods of electricity generation produce zero emissions and are created by an infinite, renewable resource.
Why should I switch to renewable electricity?
Powering your home with renewable electricity is an easy way to reduce your carbon footprint. Sourcing clean power is easy and can be done right now. Switching to renewable electricity is good for the environment, the economy, and, if you choose our EcoChoice Pennsylvania plan, supports clean energy, and jobs, in our state.
Why should I buy electricity from The Energy Co-op instead of another supplier?
Joining the Co-op means you have a say in how we do business and where we focus our efforts. As the only truly local renewable energy supplier in the area, we are committed to engaging with and supporting our community. We have always focused on providing southeastern Pennsylvania with affordable, sustainable energy options and with local community education and volunteer events. As a democratically-run nonprofit, we are only accountable to our members. This allows us to offer transparent pricing without gimmicks, individualized service for each member, and directly engage with and educate our local community.
What is the difference between EcoChoice National and EcoChoice Pennsylvania?
EcoChoice Pennsylvania is made up of 99% wind 1% solar power sourced from wind and solar projects in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. This keeps your energy dollars local and supports the state’s renewable economy. You also support clean energy jobs and provide further incentive for developers to build clean energy projects in the state.
EcoChoice National is made up of 99% wind, 1% solar power and is sourced from wind and solar projects all over the country. This provides a more affordable way to protect our environment while encouraging increased clean energy development nationwide.
What is the difference between fixed and variable rates?
Variable rates vary from month to month based on market conditions. This rate is set at the first business day of every month.
Fixed rates are guaranteed for 12 months, but there is no penalty to you if you choose to switch plans or providers before the end of that period.
At The Energy Co-op, we believe in complete transparency. That means no teaser rates, cancellation fees, or hidden charges with any of our programs. What you see is what you pay.
How will my bill change?
Within 1-2 billing cycles, you will see The Energy Co-op listed under the supply charge on your utility bill. This confirms that for every unit of power that you used in that billing cycle, that much renewable power was put into the electricity grid.
Can everyone receive The Energy Co-op’s renewable electricity?
If either PECO or PP&L are your electricity suppliers, then you can purchase renewable electricity from The Energy Co-op.
How do I power my home with clean electricity from The Energy Co-op?
You can register online at www.theenergy.coop/enrollment, email us at electricity@theenergy.coop, or call us at 215.413.2122. Signing up only takes a few minutes and, after joining, you’ll be able to rest assured knowing that your home will soon be powered by renewable electricity from a local cooperative.
Which wind farms in PA do you buy power from?
Most of the wind farms in PA are located in south central and northeastern PA along the Appalachian and Pocono Mountains. The specific projects we buy from vary based on market conditions.
Why is renewable energy more expensive?
Wind and solar are newer, less prevalent energy generation technologies and tend to be a little bit more expensive than conventional electricity generated with coal, natural gas, or nuclear. While wind and solar are growing rapidly and becoming cheaper, coal, nuclear, and natural gas still make up 96% of Pennsylvania’s electricity supply. These existing generation facilities are able to generate less expensive, though environmentally detrimental, electricity.
Sourcing renewable energy provides an incentive for future development of wind and solar projects. In the long term, this will help drive the cost of renewable energy down for consumers and lessen our environmental impact as a society.
When will my supply of clean electricity begin?
It generally takes 1-2 billing cycles for the change to appear on your utility bill. You are always welcome to call us at 215.413.2122 to confirm.
I accidentally switched/was switched to a different supplier, help!
“Slamming” is when electricity suppliers mislead consumers to secure their enrollment. Regrettably, some energy suppliers are unscrupulous. If you believe this has happened to you, please click here and submit a report to the Pennsylvania Public Utilities Commission – http://www.puc.state.pa.us/filing_resources/filing_complaints.aspx.
Then, give us a call at 215.413.2122 and we will be happy to switch you back.
Can you supply my small business?
Yes. We supply both owners of multiple properties and small businesses with renewable electricity, Renewable Natural Gas, and heating oil. Give us a call or send us an email to learn more about how we can help you.
Renewable Natural Gas Program
Wait, what’s RNG?
Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) is biogas, a compound of methane and carbon dioxide, that is captured at landfills and other waste management facilities. It’s often flared, reducing it to C02 and wasting the energy content of its methane component, however, it can also be like conventional natural gas – without any drilling or fracking.
How does this work?
When you enroll in RNG, we become your gas supplier. The utility (PECO or PGW) is still your distributor. We supply the gas from RNG, and the utility delivers it. For every cubic foot (ccf) of gas you use, your money is going to RNG from landfill methane. There is no interruption of service when you switch; you’ll just see The Energy Co-op as your supplier on your gas bill within 1-2 billing cycles.
Why should I switch to Renewable Natural Gas?
By purchasing Renewable Natural Gas, you are not just reducing the demand for fracking, you are promoting the usage of a recovered, sustainable resource. You are also directly supporting the development of projects that will capture this resource and use it in place of gas from drilling or fracking.
I have seen other “green” gas options advertised. Is this the same?
Many natural gas suppliers who advertise a “green” option purchase carbon offsets on your behalf. These offsets can be from investing in efficiency, planting trees, etc. but may or may not directly support the reduction of fracking nor Renewable Natural Gas production.
Can everybody sign up for Renewable Natural Gas?
Anyone who receives a bill from PECO or PGW can enroll with The Energy Co-op for renewable natural gas supply.
Where does Renewable Natural Gas come from?
We work with landfills all over the country.
How does pricing work?
Our Renewable Natural Gas supply is priced on a variable rate which changes monthly. As a member-owned non-profit, we report to our members, not stockholders. That means we have no teaser rates, cancellation fees, or hidden charges.
How do I switch to The Energy Co-op’s Renewable Natural Gas?
You can register online at www.theenergy.coop/enrollment, email us at naturalgas@theenergy.coop, or call us at 215.413.2122. Signing up for Renewable Natural Gas from The Energy Co-op only takes a few minutes!