Green Mountain Energy New York FAQ

Green Mountain Energy was the first supplier (ESCO) in New York City fully dedicated to cleaner energy. Since 2000, we have been an active participant in the development of energy competition for New York and helped support the development of New York's first wind farm, the Madison Wind Project in Madison County. We've provided renewable energy products to National Grid customers in Upstate New York since 2002. In August 2009, we entered the competitive market in New York City and Westchester County, expanded into Orange & Rockland in March 2012, and began offering direct access service in National Grid as well as Central Hudson, New York State Electric & Gas (NYSEG) and Rochester Gas & Electric (RG&E) service territories in June 2013.

Green Mountain Energy is the nation's longest-serving renewable energy retailer. We were founded with the mission to change the way power is made – something that sets us apart from all other suppliers. We offer competitively-priced electricity plans that use energy from renewable sources like wind and solar. The traditional production of electricity from fossil fuels is the largest source of industrial air pollution in the U.S. When you choose cleaner electricity from Green Mountain Energy, you help make a difference for the environment.

Even though territories may be close to each other on a map, the costs to supply electricity are different based on New York's power grid zones. Pricing on our electricity plans vary accordingly to reflect that.

We did it to improve our environmental impact. Although wind and water both are 100% renewable and pollution-free, many hydropower facilities in the U.S. were built decades ago. Because we are dedicated to changing the way power is made today, it’s important to us to support projects that are altering the current energy mix towards more renewable and cleaner forms of energy. To do this, we are choosing to actively support newer wind energy projects throughout the United States. This change will allow you and the rest of the New York Green Mountain Energy family to make an even bigger difference for the environment.

We estimate the carbon dioxide (CO₂) that would have been created if you purchased your electricity from a supplier that offers a generic mix of “dirty” system power. Then, we compare that to the CO₂ emissions you avoid by choosing electricity from Green Mountain Energy.

The emissions are avoided where the renewable energy project is located. Our Pollution Free plan uses national wind, so we use a national average CO₂ emission rate (provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, or EPA). The Pollution Free Gold plan includes regional and in-state wind and solar resources as well as national wind resources. Because the New York grid is cleaner than the national or regional averages, we use the more conservative (lower) emissions-avoided rate specific to New York to calculate the Pollution Free Gold CO₂ avoided. We want you to understand the difference you’re making, but we don’t want to overstate the claim.

While local renewable energy has tangible benefits like creating local jobs, renewable energy brought online in more coal-dependent parts of the country can actually have a bigger CO₂ emissions avoided impact.

You'll still receive your bill from - and pay - your utility. Learn more about the Green Mountain Energy electricity supply charges on your bill.

The monthly customer charge is one element of your pricing plan designed to recover a portion of our fixed costs that are constant no matter how much electricity is sold. This charge will appear regardless of the amount of energy you consume and remain constant, even in high usage months.

The monthly customer charge is a flat amount added to your monthly invoice regardless of usage. For our New York customers, the charge is a daily amount multiplied by the number of days in the billing cycle.  It is $X.XX , for a 30 day billing cycle.

There are two main things that determine the amount of your invoice: the amount of electricity you use during the month and the rate you’re paying per kilowatt-hour (kWh) for that electricity, or:

• # kWh used * cents per kWh rate = your electricity supply charges

This information is located on the last page of your bill (see an example).

Nope. Choosing Green Mountain Energy as your electricity supplier does not affect your ability to continue on a budget billing plan with your utility.

Yes. You'll receive your bill on the same schedule as you do now.

Yes. You can continue to pay your utility the same way you always have.

You will continue to receive one monthly electricity bill from your utility, now with electricity supply charges from Green Mountain Energy. You'll continue to pay your utility, just like you always have.

Green Mountain Energy and your utility take care of all the arrangements. You won’t notice anything new other than the Green Mountain Energy supply charges on your monthly electricity bill from your utility.

We'll begin providing your electricity service on your next meter-reading date, as long as you are enrolled at least 15 days before that date. Otherwise, service will start on the following cycle date. The process typically takes about 30 days.

It’s easy to start powering your home with renewable energy by signing up online or calling toll-free 877-216-4632. You will need your utility account number (15 digits in Con Edison; 10 digits in O&R, National Grid, and Central Hudson) or POD ID number (15 digits in NYSEG and RG&E) to complete the sign up. You can find your account number or POD ID number on your electric utility bill.

We offer New Yorkers choices in electricity plans sourced from clean, renewable resources: Pollution Free electricity, made from 100% wind energy, and Pollution Free Gold electricity, made from 95% wind and 5% solar. These products are available in month-to-month and term plans so you can pick the best plan to meet your needs.

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, the traditional production of electricity from fossil fuels is the leading cause of industrial air pollution in the U.S. Choosing a renewable electricity plan from Green Mountain Energy helps encourage the development of new renewable, pollution-free generation facilities in New York and nationally.

No. Electric choice means you can choose who supplies your electricity, not the utility that delivers it. By choosing who supplies your electricity, you have the ability to choose energy generated from renewable sources like wind or solar.

Learn more about electric choice here:

Choose a Plan

No. Your utility supports energy competition and encourages customers to choose an energy supplier (ESCO) that is right for them. Your utility’s primary business role is energy delivery, and ESCOs are in the business of energy supply. Even after you choose an energy supply company, your utility will still be there to read your meter, handle service calls, and provide emergency assistance. Energy competition is also supported by the State of New York.

Click here to view the semi-annual environmental disclosure label.