Steps to switch to Green Power

Method A: To be included in an aggregated Uniting Church portfolio that should reduce costs.

1. Call Mark McManus at Church Resources on 02 9439 2622 or fax a copy of your energy account (front and back page) with a cover sheet that contains your contact details to 02 9439 2802.

Mark is the Account Manager for Utilities at Church Resources with more than six years experience in the energy industry. Mark works closely with all retailers and is confident that a cost effective option can be achieved if we all group together. As green energy is a separate commodity to black energy it can be negotiated individually, removing the need to have the same energy retailer for all of our sites.

Method B: This method is for those of you who want to act immediately.

1. Get your most recent power bill.

2. Call your power provider (the phone number will be on the bill) and tell them you want to switch to 100% Government Accredited Green Power. You will need to give them your account number which is also on the bill.

3. If for some reason your power provider does not provide Green Power then refer to Method C.

Method C: This method is for those who wish to be more discerning about which power provider to use.

1. Go to the following websites which give a complete list of all Green Power providers in New South Wales and the ACT:

http://greenpower.gov.au/pages/Home-Who-Sells-Nsw.php

http://greenpower.gov.au/pages/Home-Who-Sells-act.php

2. This list provides links to all the provider websites so you can assess which one is best for you.

3. Things to consider when making your choice.

a. Price: there are a range of prices. Some may even offer free Green Power as long as you commit to a long-term contract.

b. Type of Green Power: the most environmentally friendly forms of Green Power are wind and solar. Hydro is the most common but it requires the damming of rivers, which are a finite resource, and causes environmental damage. Many providers will not allow you to choose what type of Green Power you use; others such as Origin Energy are more flexible, which is the reason Maroubra Junction Uniting Church has chosen to go with Origin’s 100% solar option as part of its Project Green Church — bearing in mind that flexibility costs more.

4. Once you have decided which provider you wish to go with, simply give them a call. Make sure you have your most recent power bill handy.

For more information, visit http://nsw.uca.org.au/greenchurch.htm

Once you have switched to Green Power, please contact Emma Halgren so the name of your congregation, faith community or agency can be added to a Green Church register.