FAQs
[Product Information] [Product Renewal Information]
Product Information
Q: What is the most "environmentally friendly" Maine Clean Power option?
While all three Maine Clean Power options are “environmentally friendly”, the two supply options offset by wind power (Maine Clean Power Wind and Maine Clean Power Wind-Hydro) support a much newer, more progressive technology that holds the greatest promise for addressing our energy needs. Hydro power is certainly clean and renewable, but it relies upon an increasingly limited resource as the number of rivers to draw power from are finite. By purchasing Maine Clean Power Wind and Maine Clean Power Wind-Hydro you are supporting the development of new wind farms in Maine and across the US!
Q: How cost effective are the Clean Power programs? How does the price of the various Clean Power programs compare to the Standard Offer?
The Standard Offer, the default electricity supply for CMP and Bangor Hydro customers is currently 10 cents per kilowatt hour. With the anticipated spike in the price of natural gas, which comprises about 30% of the supply mix, Standard Offer rates are expected to rise rapidly as well. In fact, since 2000 Standard Offer rates, which are adjusted each year on March 1st, have tripled! (rising from 4 cents per kilowatt hour in 2000 to the current 10 cents per kilowatt hour).
Maine Clean Power prices start at 12.5 cents per kilowatt hour and are locked in at that rate for three years. While Maine Clean Power rates are a few more pennies per kilowatt hour, as Standard Offer rates rise the rate gap will narrow, and possibly provide a price advantage over the term of the three year contract.
Q: Where does the wind power in the Maine Clean Power program come from?
The Maine Clean Power supply choices are offset by Green-e certified credits generated by wind farms throughout the United States.
Q: Why doesn't the wind power come from Maine?
Currently, there is just only one source for wind power in Maine - the Mars Hill Wind Farm in northern Maine. Maine Interfaith Power and Light is currently exploring the possibility of offsetting the Maine Clean Power programs with power from this source.
Product Renewal
Q: How long will my new contract last?
Like the previous contracts, the new Maine Clean Power contracts will last for 36 months or three years. You have the option to choose automatic renewal for successive three year terms or elect to terminate your contract at the end of three years.
Q: Will the rate for my Maine Clean Power product change?
No. It is locked in for the term of your three year contract.
Q: If I choose not to be automatically renewed for another three years at the end of my contract, will I be notified that my contract is due to expire?
While tracking your contract's expiration date is your responsibility, we will make an attempt to contact you at or around the expiration date to remind you.
Q: If I choose the automatic renewal option, but later decide that I want to terminate my contract at the end of three years, what do I do?
If you choose the automatic renewal option, but find at the end of three years that you do not want to renew, you will simply have to inform MRE that you do not wish to renew before the renewal date.
Q: What happens if my contract has already expired?
Do not worry if your current contract has already expired! Just sign up again via the online or mail in form and you will be back on your chosen Maine Clean Power program within a month. In the meantime your electricity supply account will automatically revert to the Standard Offer for one billing cycle (about 1 month).
Q: What do I do if I have more than one account?
You must fill out an online form (or mail in form) for each account that you would like to enroll in the Maine Clean Power program.
Q: What happens once I fill out the forms online/send in the mail in form?
Once you have filled out the online or mail in form, you will be contacted by Maine Renewable Energy by phone for price verification. This is a simply a recorded phone in which you are asked to agree to the current price of the Maine Clean Power plan you have selected. This phone call confirms your enrolment in the plan. A paper contract will be sent out following this phone call for your records.
Q: How long after the confirmation phone call will I be returned to Maine Clean Power from the Standard Offer?
In general, it should take no longer than one month (about the time of one billing cycle) to have your serviced returned to Clean Power.
Q: Who is Maine Renewable Energy?
Maine Interfaith Power & Light (MeIPL) has partnered with Maine Renewable Energy (MRE) to bring zero emission, 100% renewable electricity to Maine residents and businesses, and in a little over a year, we have grown to serve more than 2,500 accounts and are providing 25 million kilowatt hours annually to our customers. Maine Renewable Energy is an affiliate of Competitive Energy Services (CES). CES is Maine's largest retail broker of electricity and is licensed by the Maine Public Utilities Commission to supply electricity. Click here to learn more about CES.
