ST. LOUIS, Aug. 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- AmerenUE announced today that Pure Power™, the company's voluntary renewable energy program, has been Green-e® Certified by The Center for Resource Solutions (CRS), a national nonprofit organization that works to build a robust renewable energy market and increase consumer confidence in renewables.
AmerenUE launched its Pure Power program in June 2007. Through the program, customers can support the development of wind power and other forms of renewable energy in Missouri and the Midwest through the purchase of certified renewable energy certificates (RECs).
At least half of the Pure Power demand will be met by new renewable generators located within Missouri and Illinois. Seventy-five percent or more of customer demand will support wind farms, with the balance supporting other forms of renewable generation.
Customers participating in the program 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 the monthly bill. AmerenUE medium and large business customers will be able to participate by purchasing 1,000 kWh "blocks" of Pure Power for $15 per block. Medium and large business customers can purchase as many blocks as they want.
Pure Power funds are used to purchase RECs from recently constructed regional wind and other renewable generators on the customer's behalf. AmerenUE does not profit from the program, and there are no contracts to sign. Customers can stop participating at any time with no penalty.
The Green-e Renewable Energy Certification Program, or Green-e, has been the leading independent national quality standard for renewable energy products since 1997. Green-e provides independent, third-party certification to ensure that RECs have not been "double sold" to other customers or used simultaneously to meet regulatory mandates.
"With the certification process now complete, customers who choose to participate in Pure Power are taking part in a program that meets strict standards for environmental and consumer protection from the nation's leading symbol for renewable energy excellence," said Tom Voss, AmerenUE President and Chief Executive Officer.
Customers can sign up for Pure Power now through the Pure Power Web site at http://www.ameren.com/purepower. Beginning Oct. 1, 2007, they will also be able to sign up by checking the Pure Power box on their bills, or by calling 1-866-665-PURE (7873).
3Degrees Group, Inc. -- formerly the REC and Utility Partnership Division of 3 Phases Energy -- will develop and manage the Pure Power program over the next five years. 3Degrees, which currently runs four of the top performing voluntary utility renewable energy programs in the country, will begin operating out of an office at 1635 Washington Avenue in St. Louis' historic Loft District this fall.
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 3Degrees Group, Inc.
3Degrees delivers customized, global climate change solutions to U.S. businesses, utilities and institutions. The company engages customers to develop, execute, and communicate sustainability strategies that add value to their brand. Its expertise in sourcing verified carbon offsets and certified renewable energy certificates enables customers to reduce their carbon footprint.
SOURCE: AmerenUE
CONTACT: Tim Fox of AmerenUE, +1-314-554-3120; or Cindy Bambini of
3Degrees Group, Inc., +1-314-313-5738, for AmerenUE
Web site: http://www.ameren.com/