Electricity FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions about Renewable Electricity

What are your current rates for new electric members?
How do I know what my Rate Class is?
Do your rates vary with how much electricity I use?
Do you have any additional fees?
Is there a penalty for canceling my service with The Energy Cooperative?
Are you licensed to supply electricity?
How will I be billed?
What is the length of agreement?
What are the sources of your electricity?
Why should I care about renewable electricity?
I've heard that PECO offers wind power. What's up with that?
What are your customer service hours?
Do you offer a special rate for Off-Peak service?

What are your current rates for new electric members?

We currently only offer the following electricity option for new members. Join now!

100% Renewable Electricity

Rate R - 16.2 cents/kWh.

Rate RH - 16.2 cents/kWh.

Rate OP - 13.51 cents/kWh.

Commercial rates for standard electricity and renewable electricity are determined on a per-account basis. Please visit our Commercial Account Information page, or contact our office by phone.

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How do I know what my rate class is?

If you heat your home with electricity, you're most likely Rate Class RH (residential heat). If you heat with gas or oil, you're most likely Rate Class R (residential). The only way to know for sure is to look at your PECO bill, about a third of the way down the first page. Under the heading "Current Period," you'll see "Electric Residential Service" underlined if you're a Rate Class "R", and "Electric Residential Heat Service" if you're a Rate Class "RH."

Small commercial accounts are usually rate class "GS" (general service.) Again, check your PECO bill to be sure.

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Do your rates vary with how much electricity I use?

No, our rates for electricity are the same no matter how much or how little you use. The only time your rate will change is when we re-evaluate prices for 2009. You will receive two notices by mail informing you of any change and your options at that time.

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Do you have any additional fees?

Because we are a member owned organization, we have an annual membership fee of $5.00 for individuals and $25.00 for organizations or businesses. The individual fee is waived for people who are 65 or older, have a low income or a disability. There are no cancellation, service or other fees.

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Is there a penalty for canceling my service with The Energy Cooperative?

No. You may cancel at any time with 30 days written notice.

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Are you licensed to supply electricity?

The Energy Cooperative is the only non-profit consumer cooperative in Pennsylvania licensed as a competitive electricity supplier. By combining the buying power of over 6,500 households and small businesses we are able to negotiate low prices and locked-in rates for electricity. Although we are licensed to serve the entire Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, we have our hands full serving our members in the Philadelphia area. Our Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission license number is A-110056.

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How will I be billed?

You will receive one bill from PECO that lists our rates for generation and transmission charges as well as PECO's charges for customer distribution and transition.

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What is the length of agreement?

The prices listed are guaranteed to you until your first meter reading in January 2009. This is the guarantee we make to you. You may cancel service with our group by providing us with 30 days written notice.

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What are the sources of your electricity?

Please see our Product Content chart for specific information. Our standard electricity is generated from coal, nuclear, and other conventional sources. Our renewable electricity is generated from low impact or small hydroelectric, biomass, wind, and solar.

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Why should I care about renewable electricity?

The generation of electricity is the number one source of industrial air pollution in the nation today. It produces about 66% of annual sulfur dioxide emissions, which are a major contributor to acid rain, and to illnesses and deaths caused by air pollution. In addition, 30% of nitrogen oxides (a main component of smog) and 33% of carbon dioxide emissions come from electric generation. Carbon dioxide is the leading cause of global warming. By using renewable energy you work immediately to improve the environment for you, your children, and future generations.

According to a report by Citizens for Pennsylvania's Future, buying renewable electricity is the single most important action that Pennsylvania's families and businesses can take to clean our air, land, and water. A single household that switches to 100% renewable electricity is reducing pollution by an amount equivalent to planting 125 new trees or not driving over 13,000 miles.

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I've heard that PECO offers wind power. What's up with that?

For several years, PECO has allowed all customers to add wind power right onto their PECO bill, following on the heels of The Energy Cooperative's groundbreaking early efforts to bring renewable electricity to customers in the PECO service territory.

But there's a catch. With PECO, you pay $2.54 per month for 100 kWh. That, of course, only covers a small portion of the electricity used by most PA households, with the remainder of the power still coming from "brown" sources like coal-burning and nuclear power plants.