RG&E Offers Customers Opportunity to 'Catch the Wind' and Improve the Environment
April 20 2004 - 11:30AM
PR Newswire (US)
RG&E Offers Customers Opportunity to 'Catch the Wind' and
Improve the Environment ROCHESTER, N.Y., April 20
/PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- RG&E today kicked off its Catch the
Wind program, which provides an opportunity for the company's
electricity customers to help the environment and diversify New
York's energy supply by purchasing NewWind Energy(R), a product of
Community Energy, Inc. RG&E electricity customers can now
choose to have some or all of their electricity supplied by 100%
clean, renewable wind energy generated in New York. Community
Energy, Inc., the largest marketer of wind energy in the country
and RG&E's partner in the Catch the Wind program, and the New
York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA)
joined RG&E for the kickoff. "This program provides our
customers with the opportunity to directly support green energy and
encourage the development of clean, renewable, wind- generated
electricity," said David Saunders, RG&E's director-marketing
and sales. "It also has the potential benefit of adding to New
York's electricity supply portfolio." "Leaders like RG&E
stepping up to offer wind-generated electricity to New York
customers at an affordable price opens the door to a new energy
future," said Robert Greenlaw, Community Energy Inc.'s vice
president-sales and marketing. "The RG&E program enables
customers to make a real difference for the environment today."
"NYSERDA is pleased to support the development and sale of clean
and renewable wind energy. Catch the Wind creates unprecedented
opportunities to deliver wind power to RG&E customers," said
Robert Callender, vice president programs. "Governor Pataki has
made the development of renewable energy resources a priority for
our state's energy infrastructure. Through programs like Catch the
Wind, we have an opportunity to increase customer choice, lower air
emissions, reduce price volatility, increase generating capacity,
and boost economic development" said William M. Flynn, Chairman,
New York State Department of Public Service. Environmental
leadership awards were presented to both the Rochester City School
District (RCSD) and Harbec Plastics, Inc. Both are new Catch the
Wind customers. RCSD made an important and substantial three-year
commitment to wind energy as part of its overall "Green Schools"
program. The amount of wind energy the school district will use is
equivalent to that used by over 1,200 homes. With its commitment,
RCSD has already achieved the State's environmental objective of
having 25% of the electricity consumed derived from renewable
sources by 2010. "Our Green Schools program and our commitment to
renewable energy sources makes sense not only environmentally but
financially," said Dr. Manuel J. Rivera, superintendent of
Rochester City Schools. "We are proud to be recognized as an
environmentally conscious school district by RG&E and Community
Energy, Inc., and to work in partnership with them through the
Catch the Wind program." Harbec Plastics, Inc. has a well-known
green focus, with an on-site wind turbine and natural gas powered
microtubines. The company purchased NewWind Energy(R) to supplement
its own wind- and microturbine-generated electricity. Customers can
purchase "blocks" of NewWind Energy(R). Each block is equal to 100
kilowatt-hours and costs from $2.00 to $2.50 per block, per month,
depending on the number of blocks purchased. The minimum purchase
is two blocks per month. A typical residential customer uses 600
kilowatt-hours of electricity per month, or six blocks. Charges for
wind energy are included in the customer's regular electricity
bill. These charges are in addition to a customer's regular
electricity charges. Purchasing two blocks of wind energy every
month for one year reduces carbon dioxide emissions the equivalent
of planting 146 trees or not driving 2,338 miles. Customers will be
receiving more information about how to participate in the program
during May with their RG&E bill or they can call
1-877-RGE-WIND. About RG&E: RG&E is a subsidiary of Energy
East Corporation (NYSE:EAS), a super-regional energy services and
delivery company in the Northeast. RG&E serves 350,000
electricity customers and 280,000 natural gas customers. By
providing outstanding customer service, promoting competition and
focusing on growth, RG&E continues to be a valuable asset to
the communities it serves. About Community Energy: Community
Energy, Inc. was founded by national leaders in wind-energy
marketing to expand the market for clean electric supply. Driven by
the strong natural appeal of wind-powered technology, Community
Energy, Inc. delivers the premium combination of economic,
environmental and public relations advantages that come with
fuel-free electric supply. Under long-term arrangements with wind
developers and electricity suppliers, Community Energy, Inc. builds
customer demand to support identified wind energy projects in the
customer's region. About NYSERDA: NYSERDA, a public benefit
corporation established by law in 1975, administers the New York
Energy $mart(SM) program, which is designed to support certain
public benefit programs during the transition to a more competitive
electricity market. Some 2,700 projects in 40 programs are funded
by a charge on the electricity transmitted and distributed by the
State's investor-owned utilities. The New York Energy $mart(SM)
program provides energy efficiency services, including those
directed at the low-income sector, research and development, and
environmental protection activities. NYSERDA derives its basic
research revenues from an assessment on the intrastate sales of New
York State's investor-owned electric and gas utilities, and
voluntary annual contributions by the New York Power Authority and
the Long Island Power Authority. About the Rochester City School
District: The Rochester City School District serves more than
59,000 students from preschool through adult. The district's
commitment to wind-generated power marks the implementation of a
comprehensive energy and environmental management strategy by the
District that includes facility upgrades through performance
contracting, energy demand management and commodity contracts, and
education and awareness energy conservation programs. RG&E has
joined forces with Wendel Energy Services LLC, Day Automation
Systems, Inc., IBC Engineering PC, M/E Engineering PC, The Center
for Environmental Information and the Rochester Chapter of ASHRAE
to support a "Green Schools" education and awareness program
administered through the Alliance to Save Energy. About Harbec
Plastics, Inc.: Harbec Plastics Inc. was formed in 1977 by
toolmaker Bob Bechtold and has grown to become a premier full
service supplier of plastic injection molded parts to many Fortune
500 customers, employing over 100. Harbec leverages technology to
minimize turnaround and while maintaining ISO level standards of
quality. Harbec has grown into a precision custom molder,
moldmaker, and model shop specializing in high-end, exotic
materials, thick-walled precision parts, and insert molding. In
addition to being a Catch the Wind customer, Harbec recently
established an employee benefit that offers its employees a subsidy
if they sign up for the Catch the Wind Program at their residence.
DATASOURCE: RG&E CONTACT: Clyde Forbes, +1-585-771-4802, for
RG&E
Copyright