NC Renewable Energy Charge

The North Carolina legislature passed Senate Bill 3 (SB-3) in 2007, which established a Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard (REPS) for our state. SB-3 applies to all electric utilities, and its goal is to expand the development of renewable energy and to promote conservation and energy efficiency. By 2018, up to 10 percent of Randolph EMC's kilowatt-hour sales must be from a combination of purchasing renewable energy generation and from offsetting potential energy sales through energy efficiency and conservation measures.

In April, 2009, all accounts began seeing the NC Renewable Energy charge on their monthly electric bills. This charge represents costs associated with meeting the state’s REPS. The maximum annual cap allowed under the REPS mandate is $12 for residential consumers; $150 for commercial consumers; and $1000 for industrial consumers. In 2015, the maximum annual cap under the REPS mandate increases to $34 for residential consumers; $150 for commercial consumers; and $1000 for industrial consumers.

Cooperatives from throughout North Carolina joined forces to form GreenCo Solutions, a not-for-profit company. This company assists its member-cooperatives in moving forward in the most efficient manner possible while addressing and meeting the state mandates.