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OUCC > Consumer Publications > Electric > Green Power Green Power

A fact sheet from the
Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor


Consumer interest in “green power” - electricity generated from renewable sources such as wind, landfills, the sun, and hydroelectric generation facilities - continues to grow in Indiana and throughout the nation.

In Indiana, the electric utility industry is pursuing a variety of green power initiatives, including the development of renewable generation facilities, agreements to purchase renewable energy on the wholesale electric market, and green power billing options for customers. Initiatives and options vary among utilities.

Wind energy development projects are underway in at least 15 Indiana counties. These include several projects in Benton County, Indiana including the Benton County Wind Farm (now operating), the Fowler Ridge Wind Farm (now operating), the Hoosier Wind Park (under construction), and the Meadow Lake Wind Farm (under construction).

The Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor (OUCC) has supported various green power proposals before the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) in recent years. This fact sheet offers a basic summary of renewable energy initiatives throughout the state and will be updated periodically.

IPL | Duke Energy | Vectren | I&M | NIPSCO
REMCs | Municipal Utilities | Net Metering
For more information | Energy efficiency

Indianapolis Power & Light

Indianapolis Power & Light Co. (IPL) offers an alternative billing option for Green Power. This option was created under an agreement among IPL, the OUCC and other parties in 1998.

  • IPL purchases an amount equaling a percentage of the participating customer’s power from environmentally friendly sources (replacing power that would otherwise be generated with more traditional sources such as coal or natural gas).

  • This voluntary program does require an extra monthly fee. Consumers can cancel at any time at no cost.

  • You choose the equivalent amount (10, 25, 50 or 100%) of your power that is to come from green sources. Using the program's fees, IPL buys renewable energy certificates (RECs) which currently pay for wholesale power from methane generation in Indiana and wind generation in Minnesota.

In April 2008, IPL announced plans to purchase 100 megawatts (MW) from the proposed Hoosier Wind Park in Benton County. The OUCC filed testimony supporting this proposal, which received IURC approval in October 2008.

IPL has also issued two requests for proposals (RFPs) to add up to 200 MW of new renewable generation, with responses due in February 2009.

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Duke Energy Indiana (formerly Cinergy/PSI)

“GoGreen Power” is a Duke Energy program for residential, commercial and industrial customers. This initiative received IURC approval in March 2006, under an agreement between the utility and the OUCC.

  • Under this voluntary program, Duke Energy buys an amount equaling part of the participating customer’s power from environmentally friendly sources. The utility purchases renewable energy certificates (RECs) in order to do so.

  • Customers purchase monthly “blocks” of Green Power for an additional charge. Program participants may cancel at any time by providing 30 days advance notice to Duke Energy.

  • Cinergy/PSI’s previous Green Power Rider funded a 7.5 kW photovoltaic system in Bloomington and a 10 kW wind turbine at an Interstate 65 rest area in White County. These projects were supported by the OUCC and include consumer information displays, while allowing for data collection on the availability and economics of renewable energy generation.

In April 2008, Duke Energy started receiving power from the Benton County Wind Farm under a 20-year contract to purchase up to 100 MW of wind generation. The OUCC supported this contract and supports other market-driven efforts to create new, cost-effective renewable generation in Indiana.

In addition, Duke Energy Indiana issued a request for proposal (RFP) in September 2007 for an additional 200 MW specifically from renewable sources. The utility is reviewing proposals submitted under the RFP with the goal of having the additional power online by 2011.

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Vectren Energy Delivery

In December 2007, Vectren Energy Delivery received IURC approval to purchase up to 30 MW from the Benton County Wind Farm for its southwestern Indiana electric utility. In June 2009, Vectren received approval to purchase an additional 50 MW from the Fowler Ridge Wind Farm under a 20-year agreement.

In addition, Vectren has received IURC approval to acquire and operate a landfill gas generation facility at the Blackfoot Landfill in Pike County. The OUCC filed testimony supporting the request.

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Indiana Michigan Power

Indiana Michigan Power's (I&M's) parent company - American Electric Power (AEP) - has entered into a contract to buy 100 MW from the Fowler Ridge Wind Farm in Benton County that will serve customers in Indiana and Michigan. I&M is also studying the feasibility of developing a wind farm in east central Indiana.

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Northern Indiana Public Service Co.

Northern Indiana Public Service Company (NIPSCO) has received IURC approval to pursue up to 100 MW in power purchase agreements with wind farms in Iowa and South Dakota.

In addition, NIPSCO issued a request for proposal (RFP) for new renewable energy and/or demand side management efforts in fall 2008, with goals of awarding a contract in 2009 and having the new power or energy efficiency program in place as early as 2011.

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Rural Electric Membership Cooperatives

Member-owners of rural electric membership cooperatives (REMCs) can purchase renewable energy credits (RECs) through the EnviroWatts program. A number of REMCs are involved in green power initiatives, especially the use of generation facilities fueled by methane gas at landfills.
  • Wabash Valley Power Association (WVPA) - which provides electricity to REMCs in northern and central Indiana - operates facilities at 10 Indiana landfills that can generate more than 30 megawatts of power. The OUCC supported proposals allowing these plants to be built, purchased and operated. WVPA has also entered into an 11-year agreement to purchase power from a wind farm near Bloomington, Illinois.

  • Hoosier Energy - which provides power to REMCs in southern and central Indiana - recently completed construction of a 2 megawatt methane gas-fueled generating plant at the Clark-Floyd Landfill in southern Indiana. Hoosier Energy is also authorized to build similar facilities in the future that will generate an additional 18 megawatts.

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Municipal Electric Utilities

The Indiana Municipal Power Agency (IMPA) – which provides wholesale power to 52 municipally owned electric utilities in Indiana – has entered into an agreement to purchase 50 megawatts of energy from an Iowa wind farm that started operating in fall 2008. IMPA has also purchased renewable energy credits for wind power since 2007.

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Net Metering
 
Homeowners and schools that wish to reduce their electric bills by generating their own solar or wind energy can do so by installing generators and metering equipment to measure energy output. When you don’t need all of your self-generated power, your system can be designed to sell power back to the utility – running your meter backward. Net metering is available to customers of investor-owned electric utilities in Indiana.
  • You must follow specific rules to ensure your safety and the safety of utility workers.

  • Each utility has specific parameters for net metering, as approved by the IURC.

  • If you are interested in installing such a system, talk to your utility and review the IURC’s
    net metering rule.

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For More Information

Indiana-based resources:

National resources:

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Energy Efficiency

The OUCC is actively working with Indiana's major energy utilities to expand energy efficiency programs and increase their effectiveness. These include lighting efficiency programs, home weatherization efforts, smart meter proposals and consumer education. The OUCC offers free consumer fact sheets on managing your summer electric, winter energy and water bills.

Conservation tips are also available from the U.S. Department of Energy.

Also, the OUCC strongly encourages qualifying customers to enroll in the voluntary direct load control programs offered by IPL (CoolCents), Duke Energy Indiana (Power Manager), Vectren (Summer Cycler), and various REMCs. These programs offer bill credits in return for letting the utility install a “switch” on your central air conditioning unit. This allows the utility to “cycle” the appliances for brief periods during peak demand times – resulting in little discomfort for the customer but helping the utility ensure reliable service. The OUCC consumer fact sheet on these programs offers more details.

 

Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor
115 W. Washington St., Suite 1500 South
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204

Toll-free: 1-888-441-2494
Voice/TDD: (317) 232-2494
Fax: (317) 232-5923
Website: www.IN.gov/OUCC
E-mail: uccinfo@oucc.IN.gov

(6/09)

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