ST. LOUIS, June 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- AmerenUE announced today that it has teamed with 3 Phases Energy, a national renewable energy marketing and development company, to provide a voluntary renewable energy program for AmerenUE's 1.2 million Missouri electric customers.
Marketing materials will be distributed to customers later this summer, but interested customers can visit http://www.ameren.com/PurePower now for more information or to sign up in advance for the voluntary program. The program became effective June 4, 2007, in accordance with the May 22 Missouri Public Service Commission order approving it.
3 Phases Energy will develop and manage the program over the next five years. The company currently runs four of the top performing voluntary utility renewable energy programs in the country. 3 Phases Energy will open an office in St. Louis this summer to support Ameren's efforts.
"The Pure Power product responds to our customers' growing interest in environmentally friendly energy sources while supporting our regional economy," says AmerenUE President and Chief Executive Officer Tom Voss.
Through Pure Power, customers can support the development of wind power and other forms of renewable energy in Missouri and the Midwest. Residential and small business customers participating in the program will choose to pay an additional 1.5 cents per kilowatthour (kWh) for the electricity they use. Based on this additional charge, a typical household using 1,000 kWh of electricity per month would pay an additional $15.00 on their monthly bill.
Pure Power has the lowest green premium among all similar utility programs currently offered in Illinois and Missouri. An average household participating for a year in Pure Power will reduce carbon dioxide emissions by more than 15,000 pounds, which is the equivalent of protecting about 6 acres of forest or not driving an average car for 18 months.
AmerenUE medium and large business customers will be able to participate by purchasing 1,000 kWh "blocks" of Pure Power for $15 per block. These customers can purchase as many blocks as they want.
AmerenUE will use Pure Power funds to purchase Green-e Certified® renewable energy certificates (RECs) from new regional wind farms and other renewable energy resources, equivalent to Pure Power customer demand. AmerenUE does not profit from this program, and customers can stop participating at any time with no penalty. Pure Power is applying for third party certification by Green-e®-the independent national quality standard for renewable energy offerings.
"While RECs are not a substitute for renewable generation, building that generation takes time," Voss adds. "This program allows customers to share in Ameren's commitment to expanding the use of renewable resources in the region immediately."
At least half of the Pure Power demand will be met by renewable generators located within Missouri and Illinois. Pure Power supports only renewable energy capacity installed in the year 2002 and later; 75 percent or more of customer demand will support wind farms with the balance supporting other forms of renewable generation.
"Working with Ameren represents a powerful opportunity to deliver the environmental, economic and community benefits of renewable energy to customers in Missouri," says Gabe Petlin, 3 Phases Energy's Director of Regulatory Affairs and Carbon Markets.
About AmerenUE
St. Louis-based AmerenUE serves 1.2 million electric and natural gas customers in Missouri. The Ameren companies serve 2.4 million electric customers and nearly one million natural gas customers across 64,000 square miles of Missouri and Illinois.
About 3 Phases Energy
3 Phases Energy (http://www.3phases.com/) is a national renewable energy marketing and development company serving utilities, businesses, and individuals across the United States with a portfolio of innovative renewable energy and climate protection products and services. 3 Phases Energy serves 9 of the Top 15 largest purchasers of renewable energy in the United States and was recognized by the U.S. Department of Energy and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as the 2005 Renewable Energy Supplier of the Year.
SOURCE: AmerenUE
CONTACT: Tim Fox of Ameren, +1-314-554-3120, tfox@ameren.com; or Gabe
Petlin of 3 Phases Energy, +1-415-595-1679, gpetlin@3phases.com