By DENISE RODRIGUEZ
NIPSCO Communications

Northern Indiana Public Service Company has announced that its Green Power Rate pilot program, which launched in May 2012, has been approved by the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission as a long term program.

The Green Power Rate program allows residential, commercial and industrial electric customers to designate 25, 50 or 100 percent of their monthly electric usage to be attributed to renewable energy sources. Commercial and industrial participants also have the flexibility to designate five or ten percent of their monthly usage.

Customers who enroll in the Green Power Program will pay a monthly premium in addition to NIPSCO’s standard electric rate, approximately $2 per month for the average home. The added costs are passed through directly to participating customers with no mark up or financial return for NIPSCO.

“We’re pleased to be able to extend this program beyond its original pilot for our customers,” said Kathleen O’Leary NIPSCO president. “It’s a great option for those who want to ‘go green’ without the expense of installing renewable technology on their homes or businesses.”

To ensure the electricity used can be attributed to renewable energy, NIPSCO purchases Renewable Energy Certificates. RECs are the environmental attributes that are derived when electricity is generated from renewable and/or environmentally friendly sources.

These RECs are certified through Green-e Energy, a recognized national organization that ensures RECs are created from the proper sources and are properly claimed.

NIPSCO will target its green power purchases through this program to come from Indiana and/or Midwestern resources.

Currently there are about 940 homes and businesses enrolled in NIPSCO’s Green Power Program.

“It’s a great program,” said Heather Pritchard, office manager of Save the Dunes. “Being a green organization, it’s great to know that our energy is coming from green sources. We hope to bring more awareness to the program, and have our community members jump on board as well. It feels good to know that you’re doing your part in saving the planet.”