AmerenUE Launches Pure Power(TM) Voluntary Renewable Energy Program With One-Of-A-Kind Celebration Featuring St. Louis Mayor, Ea
October 01 2007 - 1:49PM
PR Newswire (US)
ST. LOUIS, Oct. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- AmerenUE today officially
launched Pure Power(TM), the company's voluntary renewable energy
program, with a special celebration featuring a 2.1-ton, 131-foot
utility-grade wind turbine blade, plus remarks by St. Louis Mayor
Francis Slay, AmerenUE President and Chief Executive Officer Thomas
R. Voss and Missouri Energy Delivery Senior Vice President Richard
Mark. The event also included appearances by major early adopters,
live music and snacks that included power bars for all. Emceed by
Mark, today's 10 a.m. celebration at the Downtown St. Louis
AmerenUE Headquarters stressed the importance of renewable power
development and encouraged customers to sign up by checking the
Pure Power box on their bills, or calling 1-866-665-PURE (7873).
Customers can also sign up by visiting Ameren's Web site at
http://www.ameren.com/purepower. By signing up for Pure Power,
customers support the development of wind power and other forms of
renewable energy in Missouri and the Midwest through the purchase
of certified renewable energy certificates (RECs). In August, Pure
Power became Green-e(R) Certified by The Center for Resource
Solutions (CRS), a national nonprofit organization that works to
build a robust renewable energy market and increase consumer
awareness of renewables. At today's celebration, a number of early
adopters were acknowledged, and two offered remarks -- the first
residential customer to sign up -- Amy Johnston, of Chesterfield,
plus the first large corporate customer to sign up -- George Osman,
director of Facilities for Monsanto. The City of St. Louis is
another supporter. Mayor Francis G. Slay said today that the City
supports clean energy options and encourages all citizens to become
stewards of the environment. "Customers who choose to participate
in Pure Power are taking part in a program that supports the
development of renewables and that meets strict standards for
environmental and consumer protection from the nation's leading
symbol for renewable energy excellence," said AmerenUE President
and CEO Voss. 3Degrees Group, Inc. -- formerly the REC and Utility
Partnership Division of 3 Phases Energy -- will develop and manage
the Pure Power program over the next five years. Other major early
adopters were acknowledged at today's event. They include
Advertisers Printing, Answers, Inc., Chrysler Group, Creative
Imaging, Crossroads College Preparatory School, Fusselman Salvage
Company, Jacob Development Group, Missouri Coalition for the
Environment, St. Louis Lithographing, Schlafly Beer, Signature
Signs and Graphics, Walsworth Publishing, and Waste Management. In
addition, recognition goes to the first Pure Power band in St.
Louis -- the Ralph Butler Band. At least half of the Pure Power
demand will be met by new renewable generators located within
Missouri and Illinois. Seventy-five percent or more of customer
demand will support wind farms, with the balance supporting other
forms of renewable generation. Customers participating in the
program choose to pay an additional 1.5 cents per kilowatthour
(kWh) for the electricity they use. Based on this additional
charge, a typical household using 1,000 kWh of electricity per
month would pay an additional $15.00 on the monthly bill. AmerenUE
small, medium and large business customers will be able to
participate by purchasing 1,000 kWh "blocks" of Pure Power for $15
per block. Business customers can purchase as many blocks as they
want. Pure Power funds are used to purchase RECs from recently
constructed regional wind and other renewable generators on the
customer's behalf. AmerenUE does not profit from the program, and
there are no contracts to sign. Customers can stop participating at
any time with no penalty. About Green-e The Green-e Renewable
Energy Certification Program, or Green-e, has been the leading
independent national quality standard for renewable energy products
since 1997. Green-e provides independent, third-party certification
to ensure that RECs have not been "double sold" to other customers
or used simultaneously to meet regulatory mandates. About 3Degrees
Group, Inc. 3Degrees, which currently runs three of the top
performing voluntary utility renewable energy programs in the
nation, is located at 1641 Washington Avenue in St. Louis' historic
Loft District. 3Degrees delivers customized, global climate change
solutions to U.S. businesses, utilities and institutions. The
company engages customers to develop, execute, and communicate
sustainability strategies that add value to their brand. Its
expertise in sourcing verified carbon offsets and certified
renewable energy certificates enables customers to reduce their
carbon footprint. About AmerenUE St. Louis-based AmerenUE serves
1.2 million electric and natural gas customers in Missouri. The
Ameren companies serve 2.4 million electric customers and nearly
one million natural gas customers across 64,000 square miles of
Missouri and Illinois. DATASOURCE: AmerenUE CONTACT: Susan
Gallagher, +1-314-554-2175, or Mike Cleary, +1-573-681-7137, both
of Ameren; or Cindy Bambini of 3Degrees Group, Inc.,
+1-314-606-5328 Web site: http://www.ameren.com/
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