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Bullfrog Power-General Inquiries
Residential Sign-up and Support
Industry Inquiries
General Inquiries
Who
is Bullfrog Power?
Bullfrog Power, Canada's 100% green energy provider, offers renewable energy solutions that allow homes and businesses to reduce their environmental impact and help create a cleaner, healthier world.
Bullfrog's green electricity comes exclusively from regionally sourced wind and hydro facilities that have been certified as low impact by Environment Canada under its EcoLogoM program instead of from polluting sources like coal, oil, natural gas and nuclear.
A clean, renewable alternative to fossil-fuel based natural gas, Bullfrog's green natural gas is produced in Canada from biogas facilities that have met strict environmental criteria as defined by ICF International.
Thousands of Canadian homes and businesses are doing their part to address climate change and air pollution by switching to green energy with Bullfrog Power. Homes and businesses can sign up easily, quickly and affordably at www.bullfrogpower.com.
Where does Bullfrog Power's green electricity and green natural gas come from?
In Alberta, Bullfrog Power's 100% green electricity comes exclusively from EcoLogoM-certified wind power facilities within the province—instead of from polluting sources like coal and natural gas.
A clean, renewable alternative to fossil fuel-based natural gas, Bullfrog Power's green natural gas is produced by capturing and cleaning gas produced through the decay of organic matter in our everyday waste stream. Bullfrog Power's green natural gas is produced here in Canada, at a landfill gas facility in Quebec that has met strict environmental criteria as defined by ICF International.
For more information on our generation sources, click here.
How does bullfrogpowering a home or business work?
Bullfrog Power does not inject the green electricity or green natural gas directly into your home—as doing so would require building parallel energy distribution systems, which would be neither environmentally nor financially sound.
With Bullfrog Power, you continue to draw electricity from the regional electricity grid, or natural gas from the national natural gas pipeline system—just as you always have—and Bullfrog's generators inject Alberta wind power or green natural gas onto the respective energy system to match the amount of electricity or natural gas your home or business uses. No special equipment or wiring is required.
By choosing green energy with Bullfrog Power, individuals help green our energy systems as the renewable energy produced on their behalf displaces the amount of energy otherwise produced by fossil fuel-based sources. Bullfrog customers also help to stimulate a greater reliance on renewable sources.
View this short video to learn more about how green electricity works.
View this short video to learn more about how green natural gas works.
How can a customer sign up?
Bullfrogpowering your home with green electricity or green natural gas is easy. Customers can sign up online in less than 10 minutes and there is no start-up cost or special equipment required. In Alberta, any home or business can sign up including apartments, condos and leased premises.
Can apartments, condos or leased premises (and homes that are not separately metered) become bullfrogpowered?
In Alberta, any facility can be bullfrogpowered with green electricity and green natural gas, including home and business spaces that are owned, leased or shared.
Bullfrog Power does not inject the green electricity or green natural gas directly into your home. With Bullfrog Power, you continue to draw electricity from the regional electricity grid, or natural gas from the national natural gas pipeline system—just as you always have—and Bullfrog's generators inject Alberta wind power or green natural gas onto the respective energy system to match the amount of electricity or natural gas your home or business uses. No special equipment or wiring is required.
Even if you are not billed for electricity or natural gas directly (e.g., renters whose energy costs are absorbed in their rent), you can still sign up for Bullfrog Power based on your estimated electricity or natural gas usage.
How much does Bullfrog Power cost?
When you choose to go green with Bullfrog Power, you will continue to pay for the cost of conventional electricity or natural gas through your current payment method (e.g., utility or distribution company bills, or absorbed in rent or condo fees). You will then receive a separate bill from Bullfrog Power for the greening of your energy. The cost of our energy products is as follows:
| Product |
|
|
|
| Green electricity |
2 cents per kWh |
Less than $0.40 a day* |
|
| Green natural gas |
$3.48 per GJ |
Less than $1 a day* |
|
Both green electricity
and green natural gas |
Discount if you sign
up for both: 5% off green natural gas product |
Less than $1.50 a day* |
|
Many Bullfrog Power customers implement a few extra energy efficiency measures around their home or business after signing up to help offset the cost.
* The additional cost for the average home in Alberta.
Aside from the price for green natural gas and applicable taxes, are there any other charges or fees for customers becoming bullfrogpowered?
No. There are no other charges or fees for becoming bullfrogpowered. You continue to pay your local utility and/or distribution company for your electricity and/or natural gas services and are charged separately by Bullfrog for the greening of your electricity and/or natural gas supply.
Why does green energy cost more?
Green energy is more expensive to produce, but is more valuable as it is clean, renewable and does not pollute our air or water. In the longer term, with advances in renewable power generation technologies, and with increased demand for renewables, production is likely to become more cost-effective.
In addition, conventional sources of energy, such as fossil fuel-based sources of electricity and natural gas, are likely to become more expensive as the externalities associated with production (i.e., the environmental and health impacts) are increasingly reflected in the cost. The price difference between green and traditional power should therefore reduce over time. For more information on this issue, read our whitepaper on the true cost of electricity.
How does the premium for green natural gas help fund new renewable energy projects?
The landfill gas project from which Bullfrog Power sources its green natural gas depends upon a financial premium above commodity market rates to remain economically viable and to help fund future research and development and expansion initiatives. Currently, funds are being directed toward the evaluation and potential development of an anaerobic digestion facility on the site to generate green natural gas from Source Separated Organics.
How do I know that I'm getting what I pay for?
Bullfrog Power's green energy products are based on legally binding contracts under which providers are obligated to retire green energy attributes on behalf of Bullfrog's customers.
Furthermore, our green electricity product is audited annually by an internationally-recognized third party to verify that as much green electricity has been injected onto the grid as our customers have used, and that we have retired all emissions credits related to customer contracts, thereby preventing double counting of the environmental benefits. Bullfrog will undertake to deliver an annual green natural gas audit to provide the same assurances for our new green natural gas offering.
Do environmental groups support what Bullfrog Power is doing?
Bullfrog Power has earned the support of leading environmental groups, local conservation authorities, health groups and non-profit organizations. Many of these groups have bullfrogpowered their facilities in support of clean, renewable electricity. Bullfrog Power partners with these organizations to educate Canadians about the environmental and health benefits of clean, renewable power. Leading environmental groups that support Bullfrog Power include WWF-Canada, the David Suzuki Foundation, the Pembina Institute, the Bruce Trail Conservancy, and many others.
Click here to learn more about Bullfrog's partner organizations.
Click here for a list of some environmental and non-profit organizations who are bullfrogpowered.
What are GEC or RECs?
Whenever a megawatt hour (MWh) of electricity is produced by an EcoLogoM-certified renewable generation facility and injected onto the electricity grid, a corresponding Green Electricity Certificate (GEC) (also known as a Renewable Energy Certificate [REC]) is created to represent the positive environmental benefits associated with producing green power. Those environmental benefits include the fact that these sources produce no greenhouse gas emissions or air pollutants and take steps required under Environment Canada's EcoLogoM program to minimize any environmental impact. To learn more about EcoLogoM certification, visit www.environmentalchoice.com. To download the criteria document for low-impact renewable electricity generation, click here.
In addition to ensuring that as much renewable electricity is injected onto the electricity grid as you use, Bullfrog Power retires the associated Green Electricity Certificates on your behalf. This entitles you to claim that you are using green electricity and that your environmental footprint has been reduced accordingly. An internationally recognized accounting firm conducts an annual audit to confirm, among other things, that as many Green Electricity Certificates have been retired on behalf of Bullfrog Power's customers as Bullfrog Power has sold. The audit also ensures that these Green Electricity Certificates cannot be resold or double counted (i.e., the emissions reductions cannot be claimed by more than one party)
Want to find out more about GECs? The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has developed a white paper, which provides a brief overview of Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs): what they are, how they work, and why they are an important option for individual and organizational buyers in renewable electricity and green power markets.
What are GNGCs?
Whenever a unit of green natural gas is produced (which can be quantified as a cubic metre (m3) or its equivalent heat content, gigajoule (GJ)) by one of Bullfrog's renewable production facilities and injected onto the national natural gas pipeline system, a corresponding Green Natural Gas Certificate (GNGC) is created to represent the positive environmental benefits associated with producing green natural gas. Those environmental benefits include the fact that these sources do not introduce any incremental greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere.
In addition to ensuring that as much green natural gas is injected onto the pipeline system as you use, Bullfrog Power retires the associated Green Natural Gas Certificates on your behalf. This entitles you to claim that you are using green natural gas and that your environmental footprint has been reduced accordingly. An internationally recognized accounting firm will be engaged to conduct an annual audit to confirm, among other things, that as many Green Natural Gas Certificates have been retired on behalf of Bullfrog Power's customers as Bullfrog Power has sold. The audit will also ensure that these Green Natural Gas Certificates cannot be resold or double counted (i.e., the emissions reductions cannot be claimed by more than one party).
How are the emission reductions treated?
When you choose Bullfrog Power, we retire all of the Green Electricity Certificates and Green Natural Gas Certificates associated with the clean, renewable energy on your behalf. As a result, you are entitled to claim the associated environmental benefits, and that you have reduced your home's energy-related emissions footprint accordingly.
How are my green energy emissions reductions calculated?
Many of Bullfrog Power's customers are curious to understand how their green energy purchases affect their environmental footprint. Bullfrog Power maintains green electricity and green natural gas calculators to estimate the emissions reductions associated with the green energy injected onto the energy systems on behalf of our customers. When you become a Bullfrog customer, you will have access to updates on your emissions footprint reductions (by product, service period and cumulatively over the lifespan of your account with us).
To understand the methodology we used to develop the calculator, click here.
To view the emissions calculator (an Excel spreadsheet), click here.
Could Bullfrog Power handle a sudden, large increase in demand? Could Bullfrog Power run out of green natural gas?
Bullfrog Power has secure and flexible arrangements with a number of suppliers to ensure we can meet the current and future requirements of our customers. Additionally, Bullfrog Power is investing in bringing more renewable energy online to meet the requirements of our growing customer base. For example, since Bullfrog launched in 2005, bullfrogpowered homes and businesses have provided the demand for several new wind projects in Canada.
In the unlikely event that we should ever face a situation in which demand exceeds the supply we have available, we would temporarily refrain from signing on any new customers until we had addressed the supply deficit by commissioning new renewable power generation projects.
Is Bullfrog Power publicly traded?
Bullfrog Power is a privately held company, and is not currently listed on any stock exchange.
Residential Sign-up and Support
Do I need any special equipment, wiring or piping?
No, it's very easy to become bullfrogpowered with 100% green electricity or 100% green natural gas. You do not need any special equipment, wiring or piping to sign up for Bullfrog Power, nor are service calls to your home necessary to get you started.
With Bullfrog Power, you continue to draw electricity from the regional electricity grid, or natural gas from the national natural gas pipeline system—just as you always have—and Bullfrog's generators inject Alberta wind power or green natural gas onto the respective energy system to match the amount of electricity or gas your home or business uses.
Who maintains the infrastructure that delivers electricity or natural gas to my home?
Your local utility and/or distribution company will continue to maintain the infrastructure that delivers electricity and/or natural gas to your home, and you will continue to draw electricity and natural gas from the respective energy systems—just as you always have. The reliability of your services will therefore be unaffected by the switch to Bullfrog Power.
Will becoming bullfrogpowered affect my current supplier agreements?
No. The greening of your electricity and/or natural gas services is billed separately from your base electricity and natural gas costs. As a result, becoming bullfrogpowered will not affect your current energy supplier agreements.
Is there any charge from my local utility or distribution company for greening my energy through Bullfrog Power?
There is no charge from your local utility or distribution company for becoming bullfrogpowered.
How will I be billed for Bullfrog's green electricity?
Bullfrog will bill you monthly based on your monthly electricity usage (based on estimated usage) times the rate to green your electricity supply (2 cents per kWh), plus applicable taxes.
For example, if your usage is 800 kWh per month, you will be charged 800 x $0.02 = $16.00, plus applicable taxes.
Residences that currently receive an electricity bill will continue to receive that bill for the cost of conventional electricity. You will also receive a separate bill from Bullfrog for the additional cost of greening of your electricity.
If you do not receive an electricity bill (e.g., renters whose electricity costs are absorbed in their rent), you will begin receiving a bill from Bullfrog for the greening of your electricity.
How will I be billed for Bullfrog's green natural gas?
Bullfrog will bill you monthly based on your monthly natural gas usage (based on estimated usage) times the rate to green your natural gas supply ($3.48 cents per GJ), plus applicable taxes.
For example, if your usage is 8.583 GJ per month, you will be charged 8.583 x $3.48 = $29.87, plus applicable taxes.
Residences that currently receive a natural gas bill will continue to receive that bill for the cost of conventional natural gas. You will also receive a separate bill from Bullfrog for the additional cost of greening of your natural gas.
If you do not receive a natural gas bill (e.g., renters whose natural gas costs are absorbed in their rent), you will begin receiving a bill from Bullfrog for the greening of natural gas.
Why will I receive more than one bill?
Your base electricity and/or natural gas costs and the greening of your electricity or natural gas services are billed separately; the first by your utility and/or distribution company and the second by Bullfrog Power.
How do I determine my electricity usage?
There are two ways to determine your average monthly electricity usage: 1) submit your electricity usage information based on past electricity bills; or 2) estimate your electricity usage information.
If you choose option 1, you can review your usage on past bills and estimate your average monthly usage based on this information (your utility may also provide online access to your historical usage).
Under option 2, you can select the average monthly usage for your residence type as provided (through a table) in our online sign up form. This data is based on average consumption figures from Natural Resources Canada. If you do not believe these values reflect your actual usage, feel free to insert your own estimate in our online sign up form.
How do I determine my natural gas usage?
You have two options for determining your gas usage: 1) submit your natural gas usage information based on past bills; or 2) estimate your natural gas usage information.
If you choose option 1, you can review your usage on past bills and estimate your average monthly usage based on this information (your local distribution company may also provide online access to your historical usage).
Under option 2, you can select the average monthly usage for your residence type as provided (through a table) in our online sign up form. This data is based on information from Natural Resources Canada. If you do not believe these values reflect your actual usage, feel free to insert your own estimate in our online sign up form.
If I estimate my usage, what if my home doesn't strictly fall into the residence type options provided?
When selecting your residence type, please consider the type of home as well as its square footage, and pick the option that you believe is most accurate.
If you are not comfortable proceeding with this option, you can review your usage on past bills and estimate your average monthly usage based on this information (your utility and/or distribution company may also provide online access to your historical usage).
What if my usage changes over the year?
Upon signing up with Bullfrog Power, your electricity and natural gas usage is based on past usage or the average usage for your residence type or size. If your estimated usage amount changes, we encourage you to update this information at any time so that the amount of green energy you pay for matches your usage as closely as possible.
To update your usage information, contact us with the new information and we will make the appropriate billing adjustments.
When will I receive my first Bullfrog Power bill?
The greening of your energy will become effective immediately following your completion of the sign up process. One month after sign up, you will receive an email informing you that your first statement is ready to be viewed online in your personal mybullfrog account. We will withdraw the amount owed to Bullfrog Power on a monthly basis from your MasterCard, Visa or American Express, or directly from your bank account—depending on which option you select.
If you currently receive a bill from your utility or distribution company, you will continue to receive that bill after you become bullfrogpowered.
How do I make my payments?
As a residential customer in Alberta, you have the option of paying your bill via pre-authorized credit card or the convenience of pre-authorized payment through your bank. You will receive an electronic bill showing the amount to be withdrawn at least sixteen days prior to the withdrawal date.
Can I cancel my agreement?
Yes, you can cancel your Bullfrog Power agreement at any time simply by notifying us. There are no cancellation fees or penalties; however, you are responsible for any charges for Bullfrog Power incurred up to the date of termination.
What happens if I move?
It is important to let Bullfrog Power know that you are moving so that we can properly process your account. Call us at 1.877.360.3464 or email us at info@bullfrogpower.com with your move date. If you wish to continue service at your new residence, we can easily update your Bullfrog Power account information with your new usage information or residence type.
Also, don't forget to contact your local utility and distribution company—in addition to Bullfrog Power—to inform them of your move. We are separate billing entities and we do not receive notification from each other that you are moving. By informing all parties in advance, you can avoid being billed past your move out date.
Just bought a new home?
You will still require electricity and natural gas services, which can be set up through your local utility or distribution company, or landlord. Then, you can choose to green your electricity or natural gas with Bullfrog Power through our online sign-up wizard.
What if there is a power outage?
After you become bullfrogpowered, your local wire service provider will continue to maintain the infrastructure that delivers electricity to your home, and you will continue to draw power from the grid as you always have. The reliability of your service will therefore be unaffected by becoming bullfrogpowered. In the event of a power outage, contact your local wire service provider directly.
What is mybullfrog?
mybullfrog is your personalized and secure online customer support area that provides access to your Bullfrog Power account information, including billing statements, emissions reduction information, and tools to analyze your historical usage patterns. You can register for mybullfrog through the online sign-up form.
Industry Inquiries
How does wind power work?
Wind turbines produce electricity by capturing kinetic energy from surface winds, and converting that energy to electricity. Wind power does not produce any emissions that contribute to climate change.
How much power can a wind turbine produce?
A single large-scale wind turbine produces enough energy to power 500 homes. Clustered together in a wind farm, turbines can produce enough energy to power thousands of homes.
Does Canada have good wind power resources?
With its long coastlines, generous land, and ample high winds, Canada offers an ideal environment for wind power production.
Visit Canadian Geographic's Wind Energy in Canada page.
What if the wind isn't blowing? Will my power source be reliable?
When you sign up for Bullfrog Power's green electricity, you continue to draw your electricity from the grid, and as a result your power supply is just as reliable as it always was. The difference is that Bullfrog's generators inject renewable electricity onto the regional grid to match the amount of power your home uses, and Bullfrog ensures all of the Green Electricity Certificates associated with this renewable electricity are retired on your behalf.
Do wind turbines affect human health?
Research indicates that wind turbines do not produce negative effects on human health. In May 2010, Ontario's Chief Medical Officer of Health released a report concluding that "the scientific evidence available to date does not demonstrate a direct causal link between wind turbine noise and adverse health effects" and "the sound level from wind turbines at common residential setbacks is not sufficient to cause hearing impairment or other direct health effects." The study was conducted with the assistance of members from Ontario's health care community and involved a comprehensive analysis of peer-reviewed research studies, review articles, reports, presentations and websites. Access the report here.
Bullfrog Power believes that appropriate setbacks and community consultations prior to project development are nevertheless important to ensure that impacts on local communities are minimized. Further, Bullfrog only sources energy from wind farms that meet Environment Canada's EcoLogoM standard, which requires generators to meet rigorous environmental and social criteria. For example, projects must be accompanied by evidence that prior or conflicting land use, biodiversity losses and scenic, recreational and cultural values have been addressed during project planning, and that the project will not result in irreparable degradation or loss of the site's heritage, cultural, recreational and/or touristic values. In addition, to attain certification, generators must conduct appropriate consultation with communities and stakeholders prior to development, and address issues of concern and the mitigation of negative impacts.
Are wind turbines dangerous to birds?
Bullfrog Power only sources energy from wind farms that meet Environment Canada's EcoLogoM standard, which requires that wind-powered electricity must be developed in such a way that the facilities are not detrimental to avian species and are not located in areas that are protected for endangered or threatened species.
Further, a 2001 study of wind farms in the United States and the UK found minimal ecological impacts on bird populations (Kerlinger; Avian Issues and Potential Impacts Associated with Wind Power). Relatively speaking, wind turbines kill very few birds compared with other sources. The Erickson study (Erikson et al.; A Summary and Comparison of Bird Mortality from Anthropogenic Causes with an Emphasis on Collisions) also found that of every 10,000 bird fatalities in the United States, less than one is caused by wind turbines compared to 5,820 by buildings/windows, 1,370 by high-tension lines, 1,060 by household cats and 850 by vehicles.
The Canadian Wind Energy Association closely monitors important issues around wind power development and has published several fact sheets that address this and other important issues.
Are there different types of EcoLogoM power?
EcoLogo classifies facilities that generate green power as either "New" (commissioned within the last 15 years) or old (older than 15 years).
Despite the fact that EcoLogo does not require any "New" power in a certified green power mix, Bullfrog Power has and will continue to prioritize new renewable power in our mix. As an emphasis on new project development is critical to the growth of the renewable energy industry, our goal is to provide EcoLogo-certified New green power for 100% of our mix. We will continue to report on the percentage of new power annually in our audit.
What is low-impact hydro? What is the difference between low-impact hydro and regular hydro?
Low-impact hydro refers to hydroelectric generation that minimizes disruption of local habitats. Many large hydro generation facilities cause ecological damage to the local habitat and wildlife. Bullfrog Power only sources energy from hydro power generation facilities that have been certified as low impact by Environment Canada under its EcoLogoM program. This standard requires that the facilities meet a range of environmental criteria including the protection of indigenous species and habitat, and take steps to minimize fish mortality and preserve fish migration patterns.
How do I set up my own turbine or small hydro generation?
As an electricity provider, we are not currently involved in the installation of power generation systems, but if you are interested in learning more about generating power from your own site, you may wish to visit the Canadian Wind Energy Association site at www.canwea.ca.
How can I conserve? Worried about the extra costs of going green?
Bullfrog Power advocates conservation in order to reduce your environmental footprint and your energy costs. We offer several conservation tips at: www.bullfrogpower.com/clean/conservation.cfm.
The Kerr Family reduced its electricity consumption by about 60% more than offsetting the premium paid for green power. You can view their story here.
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