Evergreen - Renewable Energy

You have a choice for the future. And it’s renewable.

Evergreen is a voluntary renewable energy (green power) program available to your home, farm or business.  Evergreen is for those who want to support renewable energy and are willing to help pay for the extra costs associated with its production.  In addition to your normal, monthly electric bill, you volunteer to pay a small, additional charge each month to offset the additional cost it takes to support renewable energy generation. 

By participating in Evergreen you are investing in the future of the environment for your children and grandchildren.  As our dependence on renewable energy sources increases we become less dependent on more conventional power plants that burn fossil fuels such as coal and natural gas.  Your purchase of one 100 kilowatt hour (kWh) block of Evergreen renewable energy each month has the same environmental benefit (CO2 reduction) as planting one-half acre of trees or not driving a car 2,400 miles (source: EPA).

For more information about Evergreen and our commitment to renewable energy please contact our office.

Evergreen.  For their future.

Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Evergreen program?

Evergreen is a renewable energy (green power) program available to your home, farm or business through your local Touchstone Energy Cooperative (a member cooperative of the Dairyland Power system). Evergreen is for those who are willing to pay a little bit more to purchase a portion or all of their electricity from renewable energy sources.

Where does Evergreen renewable energy come from?

Evergreen renewable energy comes from the wind and waste-to-energy sources such as landfill gas and livestock manure. We purchase energy from highly-efficient wind farms. New technology methane digesters located throughout our system convert waste from landfills and livestock confinements to bio-gas that is used to generate electricity.

How does Evergreen work?

It's simple. In addition to your normal monthly electric bill, you volunteer to pay a small, additional cost it takes to support renewable energy. A one-year subscription is required. After that, you can cancel your subscription anytime with thirty days notice. There are no other requirements. There is nothing to hook up. And, you will continue to receive the same reliable electric service.

What are the benefits of participating in the Evergreen renewable energy program?

By participating in Evergreen, you are investing in the future of the environment for your children and grandchildren. You purchase of one 100 kilowatt hour (kWh) block of Evergreen renewable energy each month has the same environmental benefits (CO2 reduction) as planting one-half acre of trees or not driving a car 2,400 miles (source: EPA).

How much does Evergreen cost?

Evergreen is affordable. In addition to your regular electric bill, you volunteer to pay only $1.50 more for a block of 100 kilowatt hours (1.5 cents per kWh) each month. A block of 100 kWh represents about 10% of the average residential monthly electric usage (1,000 kWh). Buy more blocks and do even more to support renewable energy. Pay an extra $7.50 per month (i.e. purchase 10 blocks) and get all of your monthly electric needs (average residential monthly electric usage) supplied by renewable energy.

Why does renewable energy cost more?

Evergreen costs a little bit more because it costs more to generate electricity from renewable energy sources. Evergreen is for those who want to support renewable energy and are willing to help pay for the extra costs associated with its production.

How do I know that I am getting my electricity from renewable energy sources?

All power generation facilities that generate electricity, whether from renewable sources or conventional sources, are connected to the power grid. All power that is generated flows into this pool. In turn, electricity flows from the pool to serve homes, farms and businesses. thus, the actual electricity that serves your home or business may or may not come from renewable sources. However, the renewable energy that you purchase will reduce our dependence on electricity generated by conventional sources such as coal and natural gas.

Aren't you required to produce a certain amount of electricity from renewable energy sources?

Some states require that a certain percentage of a utility's total energy production come from renewable sources. Our wholesale power supplier, Dairyland Power, is meeting those requirements. Dairyland Power has developed renewable resources in excess of these state requirements.

What do you do with the proceeds from the Evergreen program?

Payments are used to cover the additional costs required to provide energy from renewable energy sources.

How can I participate in the Evergreen renewable energy program?

You can participate in Evergreen by completing the Evergreen Renewable Energy form.