A Look into
CHELCO'S Energy Future
September 12, 2008
CHELCO’s power is supplied by PowerSouth Energy Cooperative in Andalusia, Ala., on a thirty (30) year exclusive purchase agreement. Long-term purchase agreements are necessary for Generation cooperatives to obtain the financing to build power plants that will serve future needs. Those contracts also ensure that new generation sources will be utilized to their capacity. This means that CHELCO’s energy future is tied to PowerSouth’s through these agreements.
PowerSouth’s current fuel generation mix consists of: 67.7% coal, 29.1% natural gas, 2.8% hydro, and .4% renewable energy (landfill gas). PowerSouth continues to explore new cost-competitive energy sources for the future.
As a renewable energy source, PowerSouth has been offering a Green Power Choice program to its members since 2007. The green power comes from methane gas from the Springhill Regional Landfill owned and operated by Waste Management, Inc., in
Campbellton, Fla. CHELCO offers members an opportunity to support this program through the purchase of 100 kilowatt hour blocks of green power for a flat charge of $2 per block in addition to the usual rate charges. Currently, CHELCO has 241,100 kilowatt hours per month that are being purchased by our membership. For more information on CHELCO’s Green Power Choice program, please click on the following link:
http://www.chelco.com/residential/products/green_power_choice.htm
Energy efficiency, due to its ability to postpone the construction of new generation, has been referred to as the “fifth fuel”. Because it is the one part of the fuel mix that can be controlled by an end user, CHELCO continues to promote energy efficiency as both a short and long term solution to the rising costs of electricity. Aaron Bradshaw, Vice President of Member Services and Marketing, states “Members can largely control their energy bills by managing their own consumption. By exercising some simple efficiency measures (such as adjusting thermostats on HVAC equipment and water heaters), members will see a marked difference in their bill.”
CHELCO offers members many tools to help them become more energy efficient, including: In home energy/conservation audits, a do-it-yourself Home Energy Audit Brochure, How to Lower your Electric Bill Brochure, online residential energy calculator, online CFL calculator, energy saving tips, and much more.
You may contact CHELCO’s Marketing Department for assistance.
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