In 2006, Austin Energy had the lowest cost green premium in the nation, which helped spur success as the top selling green program in the nation (580,000 MWh). In 2009, Austin’s ranking slipped.
The graph below shows net “green premiums” — the difference in the retail prices of green and regular electric rates — for utility programs around the country. Since all Austin utility customers pay the same base rate, the green premium of the proposed GreenChoice Batch 6 (2.05 cents/kWh) is computed by subtracting Austin Energy’s current fuel charge (3.65 cents/kWh) from the proposed GreenChoice charge (5.7 cents/kWh).
If the current version of GreenChoice Batch 6 was included in the NREL survey for 2008 (it was first offered in January 2009), its green premium of 5.85 cents/kWh would have ranked #85 of 87 products.
Net Residential Green Price Premium, based on NREL
There are more than 86 electric utility offerings for which the National Renewable Energy Laboratory 2008 green power survey has residential price premium information.
In 2008, the national median green premium was 1.5 cents/kWh.
Sources: NREL, July 28, 2009; Austin Energy.
