What is the NatureWise program?

NatureWise offers you a choice about how your electricity is produced! This voluntary program allows you to bring more clean, renewable energy to our community. These 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.

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Why does UMERC offer the NatureWise program?

Our customers have told us that they want to protect the environment and use more renewable energy. UMERC 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.

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What renewable energy sources provide the energy for the NatureWise program?

NatureWise at UMERC will use renewable energy sources based in Michigan. Currently the program is using Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) from a biogas waste-to-energy project as its renewable energy source.

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Will other renewable energy sources be added to NatureWise program?

As demand increases for renewable energy, UMERC will add more renewable electricity to the NatureWise mix of resources.

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What are the environmental benefits of NatureWise?

NatureWise energy uses biogas to produce cleaner electricity. Biogas 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 about 1,000 pounds of coal.

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Will my electricity still be just as reliable?

The reliability of your electricity service is not affected by your NatureWise purchase. You will have reliable electricity because you are connected to the regional electricity grid.

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How much will it cost me to sign up for NatureWise?

NatureWise customers purchase 100 kilowatt-hour "blocks" of renewable energy. Each block represents about 15–20% of a typical customer's electric use and costs just $0.85 per month in addition to your regular monthly bill.

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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.

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Why does renewable energy cost more?

Renewable energy facilities are currently more costly to build and operate. Biogas — the "fuel" for these facilities — is 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. Yet it'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.

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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.

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Are my NatureWise payments tax-deductible?

No, the extra charges are not considered a donation. They are charges for a "premium" grade of electricity.

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Does UMERC 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 Michigan Public Service Commission sets the final price for NatureWise.

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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.

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Is UMERC required to produce a certain amount of electricity from renewable energy sources?

Yes. UMERC 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!

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When I purchase NatureWise, does the renewable energy come to my home, farm or business?

NatureWise energy at UMERC is sourced by Renewable Energy Credits (RECs), which come from a certified renewable energy generation source. The amount of renewable energy you sign up for each month is totaled over the year, and this amount is then used to determine how many RECs to formally retire on behalf of your energy use. By purchasing NatureWise energy, you are saying, "I want my share to be renewable." UMERC is required to match your purchase with electricity produced from renewable energy.

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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 only 525 kWh is used.

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How do I cancel my NatureWise purchase?

Please Contact us so we can work to cancel the service within 30 days or the next billing cycle.

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