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.

What is renewable electricity?

Our renewable electricity is sourced from 99% wind and 1% solar power arrays. Generation of our clean electricity produces zero pollution and is created by the infinite, renewable resources of the wind and sun.

Why should I sign up for renewable electricity?

By default, your power comes from a mix of mostly non-renewable sources. In Pennsylvania, it’s mostly coal, natural gas, and nuclear. As a result, electricity is a leading source of pollution, including carbon emissions, here and throughout the United States. However, in Pennsylvania, you get to choose how your power is made. By choosing wind and solar, the average Pennsylvania household will save approximately 8,173 lbs. of pollution*, each year! Even more amazing? It takes less than two minutes to sign up, does not require any new equipment or changes to your home, and your electric utility will continue to deliver electricity to your home or business.

Why should I buy electricity from The Energy Co-op instead of another supplier?

We are the only local nonprofit renewable electricity supplier in southeastern Pennsylvania, and one of the few suppliers that sells only 100% renewable electricity. Many other suppliers are subsidiaries of larger fossil fuel companies that mainly sell coal and natural gas-fired electricity. The Energy Co-op is a different kind of energy supplier. As a member-owned, nonprofit cooperative, we work for our members to help them affordably and sustainably buy, use, and understand energy.

What is the difference between EcoChoice National and EcoChoice Pennsylvania?

EcoChoice Pennsylvania is made up of 99% wind, 1% solar power sourced from projects located only in Pennsylvania. This keeps your energy dollars local and supports the state’s renewable economy by supporting clean energy jobs and providing further incentive for developers to build clean energy projects in our state.

EcoChoice National is made up of 99% wind, 1% solar power that is sourced from projects all over the country. This provides a more affordable way to protect our environment while encouraging increased clean energy development in the United States.

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. You can choose a different Energy Co-op plan or provider whenever you like, without penalty.

Fixed rates are guaranteed for at least 12 months. But, again, there is still no penalty to you if you change plans or providers before the end of that period.

At The Energy Co-op, we believe in complete transparency. That means no teaser rates, no cancellation fees, and no hidden charges with any of our programs. What you see is what you pay.

How will my bill change?

Your electric utility will continue to deliver your electricity and bill you for it. You’ll just see The Energy Co-op listed as your electric generation supplier on your bill. That’s how you know your money is going to 100% renewable electricity from wind and solar power!

How do I know if I can power my home or business with The Energy Co-op’s renewable electricity?

Everyone who pays a bill from PECO and PPL can get renewable electricity from The Energy Co-op.

How do I sign up for renewable electricity from The Energy Co-op?

You can enroll in three ways:

• online at www.theenergy.coop/enrollment
• by email to electricity@theenergy.coop
• call us at 215-413-2122.

Signing up only takes a few minutes and, after you do, you’ll be able to rest assured knowing that your home or business will soon be powered by clean, renewable electricity from a local, nonprofit cooperative.

After I sign up, when will my supply of clean electricity from The Energy Co-op begin?

When you sign up for renewable electricity with The Energy Co-op, it usually takes about 3 to 5 days for your electric utility to process your membership. Then, we’ll send you a confirmation email and you’ll see The Energy Co-op listed as your electric generation supplier on your bill.

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. We will be happy to sign you back up.

Can you supply my small business?

Yes. We supply owners of both multi-family rental properties and small businesses through all of our energy programs, including renewable electricity. Just submit a commercial quote request online, send us an email to electricity@theenergy.coop, or call us at 215-413-2122.

Will choosing renewable electricity from The Energy Co-op affect any of my billing assistance programs?

Joining The Energy Co-op will not affect your use of Budget Billing, your eligibility for LIHEAP, or the Senior Discount on the distribution portion of your bill. Unfortunately, PECO customers on the Customer Assistance Program (CAP) are not eligible to choose any electric supplier at this time.

*Indirect savings, based on an average use of 10.37 MWh/year, at 788.2lbs. of carbon dioxide emissions per MWh.

Click here for more information.

Wait, what’s RNG?

Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) is comprised primarily of methane that forms naturally from the decomposition of organic waste in landfills and other waste treatment facilities. It’s often flared, reducing it to CO2 and wasting the energy content of its methane component. However, RNG can also be used like conventional natural gas—but 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!

Will this affect any of my billing assistance programs?

Choosing a gas supplier should not affect your use of Budget Billing, your eligibility for LIHEAP, or the Senior Discount on the distribution portion of your bill. Unfortunately, neither PGW customers with CRP nor PECO customers on CAP are eligible to choose a gas supplier at this time.

Click here for more information.