ST. LOUIS, Oct. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- AmerenUE today officially launched Pure Power™, the company's voluntary renewable energy program, with a special celebration featuring a 2.1-ton, 131-foot utility-grade wind turbine blade, plus remarks by St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay, AmerenUE President and Chief Executive Officer Thomas R. Voss and Missouri Energy Delivery Senior Vice President Richard Mark. The event also included appearances by major early adopters, live music and snacks that included power bars for all.
Emceed by Mark, today's 10 a.m. celebration at the Downtown St. Louis AmerenUE Headquarters stressed the importance of renewable power development and encouraged customers to sign up by checking the Pure Power box on their bills, or calling 1-866-665-PURE (7873). Customers can also sign up by visiting Ameren's Web site at http://www.ameren.com/purepower.
By signing up for Pure Power, customers 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). In August, Pure Power became 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 awareness of renewables.
At today's celebration, a number of early adopters were acknowledged, and two offered remarks -- the first residential customer to sign up -- Amy Johnston, of Chesterfield, plus the first large corporate customer to sign up -- George Osman, director of Facilities for Monsanto.
The City of St. Louis is another supporter. Mayor Francis G. Slay said today that the City supports clean energy options and encourages all citizens to become stewards of the environment.
"Customers who choose to participate in Pure Power are taking part in a program that supports the development of renewables and that meets strict standards for environmental and consumer protection from the nation's leading symbol for renewable energy excellence," said AmerenUE President and CEO Voss.
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.
Other major early adopters were acknowledged at today's event. They include Advertisers Printing, Answers, Inc., Chrysler Group, Creative Imaging, Crossroads College Preparatory School, Fusselman Salvage Company, Jacob Development Group, Missouri Coalition for the Environment, St. Louis Lithographing, Schlafly Beer, Signature Signs and Graphics, Walsworth Publishing, and Waste Management. In addition, recognition goes to the first Pure Power band in St. Louis -- the Ralph Butler Band.
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 small, medium and large business customers will be able to participate by purchasing 1,000 kWh "blocks" of Pure Power for $15 per block. 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.
About Green-e
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.
About 3Degrees Group, Inc.
3Degrees, which currently runs three of the top performing voluntary utility renewable energy programs in the nation, is located at 1641 Washington Avenue in St. Louis' historic Loft District. 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.
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.
SOURCE: AmerenUE
CONTACT: Susan Gallagher, +1-314-554-2175, or Mike Cleary,
+1-573-681-7137, both of Ameren; or Cindy Bambini of 3Degrees Group, Inc.,
+1-314-606-5328
Web site: http://www.ameren.com/