Evergreen Options Program
Tacoma Power already provides electricity that is largely carbon-free. If you want to do even more to support renewable energy, Evergreen Options makes it easy to participate.
Evergreen Options is a voluntary program that lets Tacoma Power customers support renewable energy by purchasing Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs). Your participation also helps fund local renewable energy projects through the Evergreen Options Grant Program.
You decide how much you want to contribute. No contract is required, and your Evergreen Options contribution is added directly to your Tacoma Power bill.
Two ways to participate
Fixed monthly amount
Each block represents 250 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of renewable energy certificates.
Choose as many blocks as you’d like for a predictable monthly contribution.
Percentage of electricity use
The cost is 1.2 cents per kWh for the percentage you select.
Because your electricity use can change from month to month, your Evergreen Options contribution will also vary.
Sign up today!
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Participation in the Evergreen Options program is optional and will appear as an additional charge on your utility bill. There are two enrollment options:
- Blocks: Blocks are $3 each per month, and each block is the equivalent of 250 kWh of renewable energy credits (RECs). The average household uses about 958 kWh of energy per month.
- Percentage: Offset a percentage of your overall power usage by choosing any whole number up to 100% (example: 2%, 4%, 10%, etc.). The amount charged each billing period will vary depending on your total energy use.
To change your participation level, or for questions about Evergreen Options, contact us at evergreen@tacoma.gov or 253-502-8600.
Questions? Email us at evergreen@tacoma.gov
What your participation supports
When you join Evergreen Options, your contribution helps:
- Support renewable energy generation. Your participation helps purchase renewable energy certificates (RECs), which represent renewable electricity generated and delivered to the regional power grid.
- Fund renewable energy projects in our community. Evergreen Options contributions help fund grants for eligible local schools, nonprofits, and public agencies to purchase and install renewable energy projects.
- Gives you a voice in where grant funding goes. Evergreen Options participants review finalist projects and vote to decide which project receives funding.
Renewable energy in our community
Evergreen Options contributions do more than support renewable energy generation. They also help fund local renewable energy projects through the Evergreen Options Grant Program.
Each year, eligible schools, nonprofit organizations, and government or public agencies can apply for funding for renewable energy projects in Tacoma Power’s service area. Grant funding comes from voluntary contributions from Evergreen Options participants.
Participants help decide where that funding goes
Evergreen Options participants review the finalist projects and vote to select the project that receives grant funding.
FAQs
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A Renewable Energy Certificate, or REC, represents the environmental benefits associated with one megawatt-hour of renewable electricity generated and delivered to the power grid.
When Tacoma Power purchases RECs through Evergreen Options, participants help support renewable electricity generation in the region.
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Not necessarily. Electricity from many different sources travels together through the regional power grid, so you can’t direct electricity from a specific renewable energy project to an individual home or business.
Evergreen Options uses Renewable Energy Certificates to account for and support renewable electricity generated and delivered to the grid.
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Most of Tacoma Power’s electricity comes from clean renewable hydropower, making our power supply largely carbon-free.
Evergreen Options gives customers who want to do more another way to support renewable electricity generation and help fund renewable energy projects in Tacoma Power’s service area.
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Evergreen Options contributions are used to purchase Renewable Energy Certificates and help fund the Evergreen Options Grant Program, which supports eligible renewable energy projects in Tacoma Power’s service area.
Evergreen Options participants also vote to decide which finalist project receives grant funding.
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Yes. Evergreen Options is voluntary and does not require signing a contract.
To change or stop your participation, contact Tacoma Power at 253-502-8600 or evergreen@tacoma.gov
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No. There is no separate enrollment or participation fee.
You choose either a fixed monthly contribution or a percentage of your electricity use. Your selected Evergreen Options contribution is added to your Tacoma Power bill.
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No. You can participate in Evergreen Options and continue to receive paper bills.
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Some third-party energy programs may take over utility billing, payments, or online account access for their customers. They may also send their own invoice instead of a Tacoma Public Utilities bill and may charge additional fees.
These programs are separate from Tacoma Power’s Evergreen Options program.
If you have questions about your TPU account or bill, contact us at 253-502-8600