It Starts With Customer Demand For New Energy

Utility responds to commercial green power demand in Minnesota

Frank Jossi, December 19, 2017 (Midwest Energy News)

“Minnesota electric cooperative [Great River Energy (GRE)] created a commercial green tariff program in response to growing demand from business customers…[T]he Dakota Electric Association requested the program and is GRE’s first customer…[It] will offset all of the electricity use at its exurban Minneapolis headquarters with wind energy credits purchased through the Wellspring for Business program…[GRE’s] 28 member cooperatives geographically cover about two-thirds of Minnesota…After fielding requests from commercial customers, [Dakota Elecrtri] approached Great River Energy and found they were receptive to the idea…The new commercial and industrial program enrolls businesses using more than 1,500 megawatt hours of electricity annually…Among business customers that have expressed interest…[most] prefer to meet sustainability goals without relying on renewable energy found in the utility’s current generation mix…A corporate aggregation feature allows companies with multiple stores or buildings to participate…[The cost, handled by on-bill tracking, is $1 per megawatt hour…5- to 10-year contracts… Great River Energy is close to signing a big box retailer to offset electricity for 12 of its stores located in eight different Great River Energy territories…” click here for more

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