Home Page >
For Farms >
Energy Rates & Programs >
Wisconsin Rates >
NatureWise >
Frequently Asked Questions - NatureWise® Renewable Energy Program
Following are the answers to some questions that are asked quite often.
If they don't hit on what you need to know, or if you'd like further information,
contact us.
- What is the NatureWise program?
- NatureWise offers you a choice about how your electricity is produced!
It's a smart new choice for clean energy. This voluntary program allows you to bring
more clean, renewable energy to our community. These new renewable resources will
replace some of the electricity generated from other fuels, including coal and natural
gas. NatureWise is an easy way to make a difference for the environment.
Back to Top
- Why did Wisconsin Public Service create the NatureWise program?
- Our customers have told us that they want to protect the environment and use
more renewable energy. Wisconsin Public Service shares these concerns, so we developed NatureWise.
NatureWise offers you a choice about how your electricity is produced. Every household that joins
the NatureWise program helps reduce the reliance on limited resources like coal and natural gas
while improving the environment for future generations.
Back to Top
- What renewable energy sources provide the energy for Public
Service's NatureWise program?
- NatureWise is a blend of energy from wind and biomass. The wind energy
comes from Public Service's two wind turbines in Glenmore, south of Green Bay. The biomass
energy will come from two sources: dairy farm waste (from Wholesome Dairy in Hilbert, WI)
and three landfills (located in Brown County and Whitelaw, WI). The biomass projects are
currently under development. They will begin producing electricity later in 2002.
Back to Top
- Will other renewable energy sources be added to NatureWise program?
- As demand increases for renewable energy, Public Service will add
more renewable electricity to the NatureWise mix of resources.
Back to Top
- What are the environmental benefits of NatureWise?
- NatureWise energy uses wind and biomass to produce cleaner electricity.
Wind power does not pollute the air or water, does not create any waste products, and
does not produce any greenhouse gases. Biomass energy converts waste from farms and
landfills to produce valuable green electricity. This benefits the environment because
using the methane from waste products as a fuel is better than releasing the methane
into the air or burning it off. In addition, NatureWise saves resources for the future.
Over a year, each block (100 kilowatt hour per month) of NatureWise energy that you
purchase saves 1,000 pounds of coal.
Back to Top
- Will my electricity still be just as reliable?
- The reliability of your electricity service is not affected by your NatureWise
purchase. Even if the wind is not blowing, you will have reliable electricity because you
are connected to the regional electricity grid.
Back to Top
- How much will it cost me to sign up for NatureWise?
- NatureWise offers "blocks" of renewable electricity.
Each block is 100 kilowatt-hours*, and you will pay an extra charge of $2.65 per block
on your monthly bill. For a few dollars a month, you can begin supporting renewable
energy from Wisconsin facilities.
| Number of Blocks |
Extra Monthly Payment |
| 1 |
$1.00 |
| 2 |
$2.00 |
| 3 |
$3.00 |
| 4 |
$4.00 |
| 5 |
$5.00 |
| 6 |
$6.00 |
*100 kWh represents 15-20% of a typical Public Service residential customer's
monthly electric use.
Back to Top
- How much NatureWise energy can I purchase?
- You have the power to choose the amount of NatureWise energy you want.
You can choose any number of "blocks" of NatureWise energy. Each block is 100 kilowatt-hours,
and that represents 15 - 20% of an average monthly residential electric bill.
On the sign-up form, you can check from one to six blocks, and there is a blank
on the form if you want to purchase more than six blocks. You must purchase NatureWise
in whole blocks.
Back to Top
- Why does renewable energy cost more?
- Renewable energy facilities are currently more costly to build and operate.
Wind and biomass — the "fuels" for these facilities — are free, but the equipment and maintenance
cost more per unit of electricity than conventional power plants. The cost of renewable
energy is decreasing. Wind energy, for example, has fallen dramatically in recent years,
from about 38 cents per kilowatt-hour in the early 1980's to about 7 cents per kilowatt-hour
today. That's still more expensive than the electricity from conventional energy sources. The
cost of wind and other renewable energy will likely decrease over time as developers build more
projects to meet rising demand.
Back to Top
- Where does my money go?
- Your NatureWise payments are used to purchase the more expensive renewable
energy and to cover the administrative costs of providing the program.
Back to Top
- Are my NatureWise payments tax-deductible?
- No, the extra charges are not considered a donation. They are charges for
a "premium" grade of electricity.
Back to Top
- Does Wisconsin Public Service make any money from the NatureWise program?
- The NatureWise price is set to recover the costs of purchasing the more
expensive renewable energy and administering the program. The Public Service Commission
of Wisconsin (PSCW) sets the final price for NatureWise.
Back to Top
- Why don't all customers help pay for the added costs of renewable energy?
- Not all customers have the same interests and needs. Some are concerned about the
environmental impacts of electricity generation and are willing and able to pay more for cleaner
electricity. Others are interested only in paying the lowest possible price for electricity.
NatureWise gives you the choice. People who prefer renewable energy can purchase NatureWise
voluntarily in the amount they choose. Customers who choose not to purchase NatureWise do not
pay any of the extra costs.
Back to Top
- Is Public Service required to produce a certain amount of electricity from
renewable energy sources? (renewable portfolio standards)
- Yes. Wisconsin Public Service is meeting the renewable requirements using other
energy. All the energy that you purchase through the NatureWise program is above and beyond the
amount required by regulations. When you sign up for NatureWise renewable energy, you are
making a real difference!
Back to Top
- When I purchase NatureWise, does the renewable energy
come to my home, farm or business?
- NatureWise energy is delivered to the electrical grid in our communities. The
renewable resources become part of the supply mixture that Public Service uses to produce
electricity. Thus your purchase brings more renewable energy to our local area.
By buying NatureWise energy, you are saying, "I want my share to be renewable." Public
Service is required to match your payments with electricity produced from renewable energy.
This is monitored by the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin.
Back to Top
- Can I sign up for NatureWise and other Public Service programs, including
SolarWise® for Schools?
- Yes. NatureWise can be added along with any other programs that we offer.
Through SolarWise® for Schools you can help bring solar energy systems and educational
materials to local high schools.
Back to Top
- I signed up for several blocks of NatureWise energy, and that's more electricity
than I used in the month.
- Your NatureWise purchase is a fixed amount of energy, regardless of the amount of
electricity that you use. If you purchase several blocks of NatureWise energy, the total NatureWise
amount may exceed the amount you use during months when your electrical use is lower.
Example:
- Electrical use: 525 kWh
- NatureWise purchase: 6 blocks of 100 kWh = 600 kWh
This customer will be billed for 600 kWh of NatureWise even though he/she only used 525
kWh.
Back to Top
- How do I cancel my NatureWise purchase?
-
Contact us with a detailed request.
Back to Top
