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Ecology Center Blasts Latest DTE Announcement
on Green Currents Program

Calls on Utility to Fix the Renewable Energy Initiative

August 22, 2007


Ann Arbor environmentalists today panned Detroit Edison's recent announcement that it would only be purchasing renewable energy certificates (RECs) from the Stoney Corners wind farm to carry out its so-called "GreenCurrents" program.

"Detroit Edison should be purchasing wind power, not wind certificates," said David Wright, Ecology Center Clean Energy Program Director. "As it stands, Detroit Edison and its GreenCurrents customers are missing the significant economic benefits that could be provided by the Stoney Corners wind farm."

Wind energy power purchases reduce utility costs by reducing the quantity of fossil fuels and uranium that must be purchased. When passed on to the utility's customers, these cost savings reduce total expenditures.

"Since Detroit Edison is not purchasing the energy from the Stoney Corners wind farm, Detroit Edison will not reduce the amount of fossil fuel or uranium which they must purchase," continued Wright. "So there is no economic benefit for either the utility or for GreenCurrents customers."

The Ecology Center and the City of Ann Arbor have intervened in the 2008 Detroit Edison rate case and are requesting that Detroit Edison fix the GreenCurrents program so that both RECs and energy are purchased and the savings are passed to the GreenCurrents customers, in a manner similar to that used by Texas-based Austin Energy's GREENCHOICE program.

One of the best green power programs in the country, the GREENCHOICE program purchases both RECs and energy. The most recent GREENCHOICE rate is actually less than the base utility rate.

 

The Ecology Center is a Michigan-based non-profit environmental organization that works for a safe and healthy environment where people live, work and play.

 

For more information, please send an email to David Wright.