EcoSmart Choice Programs

EcoSmart Choice is CBPU's green pricing program, which allows customers to support renewable energy development. The program is available to both residential and commercial / industrial customers.

Renewable Energy Certificates (REC)

Green pricing programs such as EcoSmart Choice are based on the purchase and retirement of RECs. The REC is equivalent to the "greenness" of the electricity that is generated. Essentially, for each megawatt-hour (MWh) of electricity that is generated from renewable resources, one REC is created. For each REC that is purchased and used by the CBPU for the green pricing program, one MWh of traditional (non-renewable) electric generation is offset. Once RECs are used for this purpose, they are essentially retired.
Hydroelectric Dam

RECs used for EcoSmart Choice are certifiable under the rules of the Green-e® Energy program operated by the Center for Resource Solutions. They are currently sourced from hydroelectric, landfill gas or wind facilities.


Program Increments

All CBPU residential and commercial/industrial electric customers are able to offset up to 100% of their electric usage with renewable energy for as little as an additional .004 cents per kWh. For example, if a customer uses 750 kWh in a month and chooses to participate at the 100% level, the EcoSmart Choice Program will purchase an equal number of RECs to match that monthly usage, and the customer would pay an additional $3.00 as part of their utility bill that month to cover their participation in the program. Customers who choose to participate at the 25%, 50%, or 75% levels, will see proportionately smaller increases on their bills.


Find more information or sign up for the EcoSmart Choice Program online, or call customer service at 517-279-9531.