Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan
November 10, 2003
Lee M. Baatz Assistant. V.P. – Rates
906-632-5170
Edison Sault Announces Renewable Energy
Options
Edison Sault Electric Company
announced today that it is joining a number of utilities across the country in
offering customers the option of having a higher percentage of their electric
power obtained from renewable energy. Edison Sault currently uses low-cost hydro
generation for about 40% of the electricity it sells. The remaining 60% must be
purchased from other outside sources that are mostly generated from coal,
natural gas and nuclear fuels. Under the program being announced, customers of
Edison Sault, by agreeing to pay a higher rate, can have an increased percentage
of their electric usage obtained from renewable sources. The new supply of renewable
energy would come from electricity generated from wind, solar, water, biomass or
geothermal sources. Edison Sault intends to purchase the requested renewable
energy jointly with its affiliated company, We Energies, which already has a
renewable energy program in Wisconsin and in its service territory in the
western Upper Peninsula of Michigan. “A number of our customers are
under the false impression that all of their electricity is generated by our
hydroelectric plant in Sault Ste. Marie,” said Lee Baatz, Edison Sault’s,
assistant vice president of rates. “Actually, the Edison Sault powerhouse and
the Corps of Engineers hydro plant at the Soo Locks together supply about 40% of
our system power needs. The rest of our power supply requirements are met
through purchases with our connection with Consumers Energy at the Mackinac
Staits and our connections to We Energies to the west,” said Baatz. Customers wishing to have more
than 40% of their energy come from renewable sources will be able to voluntarily
increase the percentage of their power that is derived from renewable resources
to levels of 60%, 80%, or 100%. The added cost to a residential customer using
1,000 kWhs a month to go to the 60%, 80%, or 100% renewable energy levels will
be $4.10, $8.20, and $12.20, respectively. “Just as there are people who
voluntarily pay more for vanity license plates, there are people who willingly
will pay more for their electricity knowing that it has been produced from
renewable resources,” said Baatz. “This program permits those customers who
feel strongly about the environment to demonstrate their financial support for
renewable energy.” Should Edison Sault’s customers
expect to soon see wind generators in the U. P. like those that have been
installed in Mackinaw City? “Not necessarily,” said Baatz, “With this
program Edison Sault will commit to obtain increased amounts of renewable energy
to serve those customers who voluntary sign up for the program. The renewable
energy may come from a variety of sources,” said Baatz. We Energies is
currently obtaining renewable energy from a combination of wind, hydro and
biomass projects. Edison Sault customers will be
receiving a mailing advising them of the new program. Customers will be able to
enroll in the new program starting with their next billing by contacting Edison
Sault’s offices.
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