Welcome to your online information resource for SMPA's Green Cents - a round up program that raises money for energy efficiency and renewable energy projects within SMPA’s service territory. We're making an exciting change to the program, with the hopes of raising substantial funds for energy projects in our local communities.

 

At-A-Glance: How Green Cents works
SMPA rounds up the electric bills of participating members to the nearest dollar amount. For example, If a bill is $72.71, a customer will pay $73, with all 29 cents going directly to a fund that is allocated for local programs.
On average, a customer will contribute less than $7.00 a year but no more than $11.88 per year. If a customer chooses to discontinue contributions at any time, they may simply contact SMPA and cancel.
Green Cents funds will be used for the development of renewable energy and conservation programs within SMPA's service terriroty to benefit all member owners.

 

What's changing? Effective February 1, 2010, all SMPA members will be automatically enrolled in Green Cents. That means every member will see a change in their electric bill. All member bills will now be rounded-up to the nearest dollar, with the rounded up portion going to SMPA's Renewable Energy Fund. For example, if your bill is $43.27, it will be rounded up to $44. The extra 73 cents is your Green Cents contribution. On average a member will donate around $7 a year, but no more than $11.88 cents. The round-up will begin with the bill members will recieve the first week in February 2010.

Why are we changing Green Cents to an opt out? The goal behind the change is to improve participation. Currently, less than 4% of SMPA members participate. However, other electric cooperatives report a 60 - 70% participation rate when they transitioned to an opt out. SMPA has approximately 9,600 members and if 60% remain in the Green Cents program, that means we'll raise around $40,000 in one year for local energy projects.

What type of projects do we want to accomplish? Currently, our Green Cents contributions help fund rebates for energy efficient appliances like refrigerators and washing machines. They also help fund our renewable energy rebates, which give money back to members who install items such as solar PV panels on their home or small business. But with a lackluster participation rate, the money doesn't go very far. With the change to opt out, our potential to make large scale and community wide improvements sky rockets. Our goal is to address energy conservation in all of our local communities, working with town governments, schools and community buildings to identify energy efficiency issues and solutions. That means your Green Cents contribution stays local - funding local projects and aiding local communities.

Can I change my participation? There are two ways a member can change their participation - increase their donation amount or opt out of the program. A member may choose to donate more money in addition to their rounded up portion. If a member would like to contribute an extra $2, their bill will be automatically rounded up and then the $2 will be added. For example, $43.27 is rounded up to $44 and the $2 is added for a total of $46. A member may add on any even dollar amount they wish and can increase or decrease that amount by contacting SMPA.

We realize that not everyone will want to participate in Green Cents and we want to make it easy for you to opt out at anytime by calling your local SMPA office: Nucla (970) 864-7311; Ridgway (970) 626-5549. You may cancel your participation before February 1, 2010 or anytime thereafter. Members who have opted out of the program can rejoin at anytime. Any changes to your Green Cents contribution can also be made online by completing the forms below.

 

Green Cents Forms:
Sign up for Green Cents
Increase amount of contribution for Green Cents
Cancel participation for Green Cents

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

Q. How is SMPA going to spend the money collected from Green Cents?
Q. How do I change my participation in Green Cents?
Q. Why did SMPA change Green Cents to an opt-out?
Q. Can I give more to Green Cents than my rounded up portion?
Q. Who chooses where Green Cents money is spent?

 

Q. How is SMPA going to spend the money collected from Green Cents?
A. SMPA will use Green Cents money to fund renewable energy, energy efficiency and conservation projects for members and community organizations such as schools, town governments and community centers. The goal is to help communities improve their energy efficiency, in turn, benefiting a greater number of our members.

SMPA may continue to use green cents money to fund individual renewable energy rebates. However, we will use the funds where they can make the most impact and benefit the most members. As Green Cents continues to grow, we hope to complete meaningful energy projects in all of our local communities.
Back to list

Q. How do I change my participation in Green Cents?
A.   Members can change their participation in Green Cents at anytime by calling their local SMPA office and speaking with a Customer Service Representative. Members wishing to opt out of the program will be removed. Members wishing to increase their contribution must speak with our billing department to set up their customized donation.
Back to list

Q. Why did SMPA change Green Cents to an opt-out?
A. The SMPA Board of Directors chose to change Green Cents to an opt-out program in order to raise funds for community energy projects. Opt-out programs typically garner a 60 – 70% participation rate. SMPA’s current participation rate is less than 4%.

However, by changing to an opt-out, SMPA hopes to raise upwards of $40,000 per year in Green Cents contributions. These funds will allow us to undertake larger projects that have a meaningful impact on our communities’ energy usage. Previously, SMPA was only able to partially fund some rebate programs. The limited participation produced limited funds that were quickly eaten up by the solar PV rebates.
Back to list

Q. Can I give more to Green Cents than my rounded up portion?
A. Yes, members can choose to increase their Green Cents beyond their round-up by an even dollar amount of their choice. For example, a member may choose to donate an extra $3 per month. That means their bill will be rounded-up to the nearest dollar amount first and then $3 dollars will be added.

Members should contact SMPA’s billing department at (970) 864-8133 or (970) 864-8136 to set up their customized Green Cents contribution.
Back to list

Q. Who chooses where Green Cents money is spent?
A. Ultimately the SMPA Board of Directors will choose when and where our Green Cents contributions are spent. In some cases, communities or organizations may approach SMPA with a project they need financial assistance with, and in other cases, SMPA may approach our communities with suggestions. Other projects may stem from in-house programs or our participation in Tri-State and GEO programs.  Regardless of the projects source, the Green Cents funds will be used to benefit members within SMPA service territory. The money will be raised by members, for members, and will remain in our members’ communities.
Back to list

Have a question you can't find the answer to? Gives us a call at (970) 864-7311 or (970) 626-5549.

 

OTHER INFORMATION:

News Release 12/11/09 - Changes to SMPA's Green Cents will Affect Member Bills

Advertisements 12/2009 - 2/2010 - Introducing SMPA's New & Improved Green Cents

Member Newsletter Article 1/2010 - Green Cents Makes Good Sense

 

 

 

 


Employee Login | Board Login