Renewables

Green Power cost

New changes for 2022! CREC's power supply cooperative, Associated Electric Cooperative Inc. (AECI), which provides Green Power has drastically lowered their monthly residential price for a 100kWh block of energy. Here's what that means for CREC members who already participate or are interested in signing up for the program: 

• The Green Power charge to CREC members will now be $1.00 per block of 100 kwhs. To participate in this program, you will be required to purchase a minimum of one, 100 kwhs block each month (this will add $1.00 to your bill).
• You can request to purchase additional blocks each month but the number of kWhs purchased cannot exceed your average monthly usage. For example - if your average monthly usage is 1,800 kWhs, you can only sign up to receive 18 blocks (equal to $18.00) of Green Power each month. When you request to participate in the program, our Member Services Representative will determine how many blocks you can commit to. 
• When you sign up, you will be agreeing to a 12-month commitment. This will be noted on your account. We will accept new participants at any time during the year but new contracts will only start in January or July. 
• Each 12-month commitment will renew automatically unless CREC receives a cancellation request from the member. Cancellation requests must be made before December 1 for January contracts and before June 1 for July contracts. 
• CREC reserves the right to adjust the price at the end of each 12-month commitment if AECI's price increases significantly. Each participating member will be notified before their renewal date if a price adjustment is made. 

Green Power Fact Sheet for members

Wind energy is delivered to the cooperative grid each day it is available, at a fixed price per kWh that is higher than traditional energy.

Because most renewable resources are not available on-demand, they are more expensive. The power generated by these facilities must be backed by other generation resources to maintain a steady, reliable power supply. Also, they are more difficult and costly to convert into usable electricity for delivery to the power grid. Other energy resources vary in price each day and are used when they are the most affordable option.

All kWhs look the same once they enter the transmission network when CREC members purchase Green Power. Energy from renewable resources is delivered to the utility grid for them. There's no guarantee that the same electrons which leave a wind farm are delivered to the member's meter, but CREC can guarantee the amount that member orders will be delivered onto the cooperatives power grid for that member. 

Those who want to generate energy by installing residential solar or wind systems for their homes face much higher costs but do receive credit for any excess power they deliver to the grid. Missouri's Net Metering and Easy Connection Act provides more information.