SelectGreen: Choose Renewable Energy

SelectGreen energy is electrical energy generated from power resources that can be regenerated or replenished naturally, such as wind, solar, various forms of biomass, geothermal, and hydropower.

SelectGreen is a program developed that allows customers to choose and support renewable energy by purchasing renewable 100 kWh energy blocks for the local electrical system. The program is voluntary and provides an easy and convenient way for the electric utility to supply renewable energy beyond the basic resource service mix.

Customer research has indicated an increased interest in recent years for renewable energy generation resources, both nationally and here in Utah. The SelectGreen program for customers is designed to provide an easy method for our customers to assist in supporting these types of projects, above and beyond normal investment in generation resources.

When you enroll in SelectGreen, your electric utility will purchase renewable energy from renewable power facilities to match your SelectGreen energy amounts. The program guarantees that electricity from renewable resources (1) is delivered to the power system, (2) reduces the need for electricity generated from fossil fuels, and (3) reduces air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.

Yes. Enrolling in SelectGreen makes a big impact on the environment.

Substituting renewable generation for traditional fossil-fuel generation helps to reduce overall emissions from electricity generation.

Participation in the SelectGreen program sends a message about how much you, as an electric consumer, care about the environment. It also says you are willing to commit your resources to positive action. Businesses that participate in SelectGreen can improve customer relations, enhance their corporate image and can positively impact the community in which they operate.

SelectGreen gives you the opportunity to take an active role in improving the environment. Everyone who participates makes a difference.

Yes. If you sign up for SelectGreen and move within the electric service area, you will have the option to continue with SelectGreen..

All customers who receive their monthly electric bill from the following city utilities are eligible to participate: Levan, Manti, Nephi, Provo, Salem, and Spanish Fork.

Existing residential, commercial, or industrial customers may sign up for SelectGreen by using our online enrollment form, or by calling or visiting your local electric utility service center:

Retail customers can enroll in the SelectGreen anytime.

Participating in SelectGreen will not interfere with budget billing. Budget billing is based on energy charges applicable to the customer’s applicable base energy rate. The SelectGreen energy charge will be applied as a surcharge above the customer’s budget bill.

No. Even though you may be voluntarily purchasing renewable energy through the SelectGreen program, it is not a charitable contribution and therefore is not tax-deductible.

No problem. Customers can unsubscribe at any time and charges will be discontinued at the end of their next billing period, which is between 30 and 60 days.

SelectGreen costs an additional $1.50 per 100 kilowatt-hour block purchased and doesn’t fluctuate from month to month with your usage. The SelectGreen costs are in addition to your current utility bill.

Although renewable energy resources like the sun and wind are free fuel sources, the total cost for renewable energy is currently more expensive than the cost of energy produced from our existing power generation resources, such as coal-fired power plants and hydroelectric facilities. Additionally, renewable energy resources are intermittent (not always available). The wind does not always blow and the sun does not always shine. In contrast, coal-fired power plants typically operate continuously and are more readily available to customers, which have a tendency to lower the cost per kWh produced by these types of generation resources.

Funds received from participating customers are used to purchase renewable energy from regional renewable energy facilities equal to the SelectGreen purchase, as well as program administration and customer education. We are required to allocate the costs associated with the SelectGreen program to customers who choose to participate, and we do not make a profit by offering this option to customers.

The SelectGreen program is governed by the Utah Municipal Power Agency’s board of directors—elected officials from your city. They have oversight into the management of the program and will be reviewing the routine operation and financial reports for this program. The Utah Municipal Power Agency (UMPA) staff will track the purchases and schedule the energy from our scheduling operation center and will provide these monthly operations reports.

The SelectGreen program offers customers the opportunity to support the increased use of renewable energy above the amount that the electric utility already generates or purchases on behalf of all its customers.

SelectGreen provides an option for those who want to do even more to encourage additional renewable development—all for as little as $1.50 extra per month.

We are public power providers and want to give our customers a choice where possible. We know some customers want renewable energy so this program allows them the opportunity to support renewable energy development.

Because of the way the power system works, electricity from a specific facility or source does not flow directly to a specific customer. However, we guarantee that renewable energy in the exact amount you sign up to buy through SelectGreen is purchased on your behalf from renewable facilities in the western United States. This creates measurable environmental benefits and hastens renewable energy development. These purchases of renewable energy are in addition to the renewable energy already operating on behalf of all customers.

Renewable energy certificates (RECs), also known as “green tags,” are proof that 1 megawatt-hour (MWh) of renewable energy was generated and delivered to the regional power pool, and they represent the environmental attributes of the power produced from renewable energy projects. RECs are sold separately from the electricity commodity.

For every unit of renewable energy generated and delivered to the regional power pool, an equivalent amount of renewable energy certificates (RECs) are created representing a tracking mechanism to ensure that no two customers pay for the same unit of renewable energy generation. When you sign up for SelectGreen, UMPA contracts for the energy and RECs to match the equivalent of your ongoing electrical needs or the number of SelectGreen blocks you elect to purchase. The more RECs that are sold, the more demand is created for renewable energy. As renewable facilities sell out their RECs, demand shifts to bring more renewable energy sources on-line.

New renewable energy sources are being constructed across the United States to meet the demand created for renewable energy. Your purchase of renewable energy benefits the environment by displacing non-renewable generation from the electricity system.

UMPA stands for Utah Municipal Power Agency. UMPA is a joint-action agency created under the State of Utah to provide power supply and resources to its member cities. UMPA will be responsible for buying and accounting for the renewable energy offered through the SelectGreen program.

UMPA’s current member municipalities are: Levan, Manti, Nephi, Provo, Salem, and Spanish Fork. These cities provide electrical services to their customers and will be responsible for the billing and administration of the SelectGreen program.

UMPA is governed by a six-member board of directors representing each of the member cities. The representatives are elected officials; either the mayor or a council member. In addition, a technical committee, consisting of appointees from each of the member cities, who provide technical advice and recommendations to assist the board of directors.

Please visit their website at umpa.energy