Unitil Corporation, a provider of natural gas and electricity to customers throughout New England, today announces the launch of the Green Neighbor program, a new, optional service offered to residential and small business electric customers in New Hampshire.
“The Green Neighbor program is meant to be a simple, inexpensive way for our customers to participate in the effort to find renewable energy solutions for neighborhoods everywhere,” Unitil Energy Contracts Director and administrator of the Green Neighbor program Rob Furino said. “This program will provide for a means to help make green energy options more economically viable in the future.”
Customers who opt into the plan can choose whether all, half or one-quarter of their monthly electricity usage will go towards becoming a Green Neighbor. Based on current electrical rates, a household using 500 kilowatt hours over the course of a month would pay an additional $2.65 if enrolled at the lowest level and customers can opt in or opt out of any level at any time.
Funding raised through the Green Neighbor program will be used by Unitil to buy Renewable Energy Credits on a customer’s behalf. The money will then be used by renewable energy providers in the northeast to make wind, solar and other “green” sources more affordable.
As part of the launch of the Green Neighbor program, participating customers will have the opportunity to receive a welcome kit, which will include means for participants to show their appreciation for the program such as a window cling, postcard and a letter of thanks from Unitil. Customers will also be able to link to the Green Neighbor program on Facebook.
“At Unitil, we recognize that we have customers who are passionate about finding renewable energy solutions to meet all of our electricity needs,” Unitil Media Relations Manager Alec O’Meara said. “Our Green Neighbors believe finding a long term solution to the challenges surrounding renewable energy is vital to the planet’s long-term health. This program will give those customers a means to support efforts to make green options more economically viable in the future.”
The program has received a warm response from early adopters within Unitil.
“I’m so busy that I don’t have time to do everything I’d like to,” said Maureen Pepper, Unitil’s Associate Telecommunications Administrator. “Unitil’s Green Neighbor program makes it easy and affordable for me to do the right thing.”
More information on the Green Neighbor program, including eligibility requirements and how to sign up, is available online at www.unitil.com/greenneighbor.