Who
is Bullfrog Power? Bullfrog Power Canada's leading 100% green electricity provider. Bullfrog Power is the only company providing everyone in Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia with a 100% low-impact renewable electricity choice. Thousands of Canadians have chosen to go green with Bullfrog Power in order to take a stand for low-impact renewable electricity, reduce their environmental impact, and create a cleaner world for today and tomorrow.
When you choose Bullfrog Power, Bullfrog ensures that as much low-impact renewable electricity is injected into the electricity grid as you use and that Green Electricity Certificates are retired on your behalf. Green Electricity Certificates represent the environmental benefits associated with producing EcoLogoM-certified electricity and they allow you to claim that your home is bullfrogpowered with 100% green electricity.
Bullfrog Power customers also support the development of new renewable generation - in fact, several new wind projects have already been commissioned in Ontario and Alberta to meet the demand of the growing community of bullfrogpowered homes and businesses. Bear Mountain Wind Park, the first fully operational wind project in B.C., is supplying bullfrogpowered customers in the province with 100% wind power. With the support and growing demand of Bullfrog customers, Bullfrog Power's goal is to continue to advance the development of new wind power in B.C.
Why should I buy Bullfrog Power?
By purchasing Bullfrog Power, you are:
using your purchasing power to accelerate Canada's progress toward becoming a diversified, green economy and a renewable power leader worldwide
reducing your personal impact on the environment and helping to create a healthier environment for today and tomorrow
Taking a stand for low-impact renewable electricity
Bullfrog offers you the opportunity to choose 100% low-impact renewable electricity. Your decision to become "bullfrogpowered" sets an example for friends, neighbours, business leaders and policy makers, and sends a powerful message that new renewable energy is important to our environment and our economy. The more people who demand low-impact renewable power, the stronger the message.
Creating further demand for wind power
The choice of individual consumers is a powerful force for change. The supply of organic food, hybrid vehicles, and compact fluorescent light bulbs, for example, have all grown dramatically in response to consumer demand. In the same way, when you sign on with Bullfrog Power, your action adds to the demand of thousands of other homes and businesses. Bullfrog uses this collective demand to cause new low-impact renewable facilities to be built. Bullfrog Power customers have already provided the demand for many new wind projects. Bullfrog is sourcing 100% wind power from Bear Mountain Wind Park, the first fully operational wind project in B.C., for bullfrogpowered customers. With the support and growing demand of Bullfrog customers, Bullfrog Power's goal is to continue to advance the development of new wind power in B.C.
Using your purchasing power to accelerate Canada's progress toward becoming a diversified, green economy and a renewable power leader worldwide
Renewable energy is a fast growing and increasingly important part of the world economy. Over the last 10 years, global wind capacity alone has grown at an annual cumulative rate of 32%.1 Canada is well positioned to capture a meaningful share of the global renewable energy economy. In 2008, Canada became the twelfth country to exceed 2,000 MW of installed wind capacity.2 By 2025, the Canadian wind industry aims to meet 20% or more of Canada's electricity needs.
The B.C. wind power industry in particular is in the early stages of development and has significant potential for growth. Citizen and government support will help to accelerate this growth and help to create a more diverse and sustainable economy.
Reducing your personal impact on the environment and helping to create a cleaner world for today and tomorrow
Choosing Bullfrog Power is an easy, practical and powerful way to reduce your environmental footprint. By purchasing Bullfrog Power, you are choosing to support low-impact renewable electricity rather than electricity from higher-impact hydro facilities or fossil fuel-powered sources which contribute to climate change and smog. Bullfrog Power's generation facilities are EcoLogoM certified through Environment Canada, which ensures that they are emissions free and have a minimal impact on the ecosystem and the local community.
What do I get for my money? When you purchase Bullfrog Power, you get:
to join a community of engaged residents and businesses who are taking a stand in support of low-impact renewable energy
100% low-impact, EcoLogo-certified renewable electricity
When you choose Bullfrog Power, we ensure that as much low-impact renewable electricity is injected onto the electricity grid as you use. In addition, we acquire all of the Green Electricity Certificates associated with the low-impact renewable electricity and retire them on your behalf. Green Electricity Certificates represent the environmental benefits associated with producing EcoLogoM-certified electricity and they allow you to claim that the location is using green electricity.
In British Columbia, Bullfrog Power comes exclusively from wind farms in the province. All of Bullfrog's renewable power comes from facilities that are certified by Environment Canada under its EcoLogoM program, ensuring that they meet Environment Canada's criteria for minimizing the environmental impacts of electricity generation. Bullfrog Power sources wind power from the Bear Mountain Wind Park, which is the only EcoLogo Type III wind farm in the province.
Deloitte, an internationally recognized accounting firm, conducts an annual audit that verifies that at least as much EcoLogo-certified electricity is injected onto the regional grids as our customers use.
The right to claim the associated environmental benefits
For every megawatt hour (MWh) of low-impact renewable electricity that is produced and injected onto the grid, a corresponding Green Electricity Certificate 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 to minimize any environmental impact. When you choose Bullfrog Power, we ensure that as much low-impact renewable electricity is injected into the electricity grid as you use and that Green Electricity Certificates are retired on your behalf. Green Electricity Certificates represent the environmental benefits associated with producing EcoLogoM-certified electricity and they allow you to claim that your home is bullfrogpowered with 100% green electricity. Deloitte, an internationally recognized accounting firm, conducts an annual audit to confirm that the Green Electricity Certificates have been retired on behalf of Bullfrog Power's customers.
Bullfrog Power provides all of its customers with a personalized estimate of the emissions reductions associated with their green power purchase on each Bullfrog Power bill and online at each customer's personal mybullfrog account.
Bullfrog Power maintains a calculator to provide these estimates. To understand the methodology we used to develop this calculator, click here. To view the calculator itself (an Excel spreadsheet), click here.
You get to support the development of low-impact renewable power in B.C.
Bullfrog is 100% devoted to renewable power, so when you bullfrogpower your home, you have the comfort of knowing that your dollars are going to support low-impact renewable electricity. By paying a premium that acknowledges the greater value of green electricity, you are sending a price signal through the market that makes it economically possible for renewable energy producers to operate and to help make new wind generation projects economically viable. Bullfrog Power customers have already provided the demand for many new wind projects. Bullfrog is sourcing 100% wind power from Bear Mountain Wind Park, the first fully operational wind project in B.C., for bullfrogpowered customers.
With the support and growing demand of Bullfrog customers, Bullfrog Power's goal is to continue to advance the development of new wind power in B.C.
You'll join a community of engaged residents and businesses who are taking a stand in support of low-impact renewable electricity
Thousands of households and hundreds of businesses have joined the bullfrogpowered community. Bullfrogpowered residents become part of Bullfrog's Founders Club and have the option of receiving a welcome kit that contains decals, lawn signs and other useful items allowing them to share their support for green power with friends and neighbours. They are also able to participate in local Bullfrog Power events and enjoy discounts and special offers from businesses that are bullfrogpowered.
Bullfrogpowered businesses are listed on the bullfrogpowered Green Index, which appears on our website and in various advertisements throughout the year. Businesses are proud to communicate their support for green power to employees, customers and shareholders. Bullfrog helps businesses in these efforts through a variety of communications activities.
Bullfrog also sends optional newsletters to all of its customers with interesting news from the bullfrogpowered community and the latest developments in renewable power.
How does buying green power work? Bullfrogpowering your home or business is simple. It takes just a few minutes to sign up online and there is no start-up cost,
special wiring or new equipment required. You may cancel your contract with us at any time with no penalty.
When you choose Bullfrog Power, Bullfrog ensures that as much low-impact renewable electricity is injected into the electricity grid as you use. In British Columbia, Bullfrog Power comes exclusively from wind power facilities in the province. All of Bullfrog's B.C. power comes from Bear Mountain Wind Park. Bear Mountain Wind Park provides B.C. bullfrogpowered customers with 100% wind power.
With the support and growing demand of Bullfrog customers, Bullfrog Power's goal is to continue to advance the development of new wind power in B.C., just as it has in Alberta and Ontario.
In addition, when you choose Bullfrog Power, we retire all of the Green Electricity Certificates associated with the low-impact renewable electricity on your behalf. Green Electricity Certificates represent the environmental benefits associated with producing EcoLogoM-certified electricity and they allow you to claim your location is bullfrogpowered with 100% green electricity.
Where does Bullfrog's green power come from?
In British Columbia, all our green electricity is 100% wind power produced by Bear Mountain Wind Park, the province's first fully operational wind farm. With the support and growing demand of Bullfrog customers, Bullfrog Power's goal is to continue to advance the development of new wind power in B.C., just as it has in Alberta and Ontario.
What are GECs or RECs?
Whenever a megawatt hour (MWh) of electricity is produced by an EcoLogoM-certified low-impact 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 low-impact 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.
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 (www.epa.gov/greenpower/gpmarket/rec.htm).
Are there different types of EcoLogo power?
There are three different types of EcoLogo power, known as Type I, Type II and Type III. The distinction between types is based on age of the facilities. Low-impact renewable generation facilities built prior to 1990 are eligible to be certified as Type I. Facilities commissioned between 1991 and 2001 are eligible to be certified as Type II, and facilities commissioned after 2001are eligible to be certified as Type III. The criteria for EcoLogo certification are available here.
Bullfrog Power provides the highest quality green power available to homes and businesses, which means that we look for new local or regional low-impact power. In British Columbia, Bullfrog sources from Bear Mountain Wind Park, the only source of EcoLogo Type III wind power in the province. How much will Bullfrog Power cost me?
Low-impact renewable electricity costs a little more than conventional electricity from larger hydro or electricity from fossil-fuel based generators, but is more valuable because it is low-impact, renewable and does not pollute our air or water. Bullfrog will invoice you monthly for this additional amount based on your estimated electricity usage in kilowatt hours (kWh) times the rate to green your electricity supply (2 cents per kWh), plus applicable taxes. For example, if your monthly usage is 900 kWh per month, you will be charged 900 x $0.02 = $18.00 plus applicable taxes. This charge is in addition to your bill for conventional electricity from your local utility (B.C. Hydro or Fortis).
Why does green electricity cost more?
Green energy is more expensive to produce, but is more valuable as it is low impact, renewable and does not pollute our air or water. When we buy from EcoLogoM-certified generators we pay them a premium, which acknowledges the greater value, and signals the market to make more. Bullfrog Power also uses a portion of the green premium to help develop new, renewable generation. A growing number of new turbines have been commissioned as a direct result of the demand for green power from Bullfrog's commercial and residential customers. 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 electricity, and particularly fossil fuel-based sources of electricity, are likely to become more expensive. The price difference between green and traditional power should therefore reduce over time.
Isn't electricity in British Columbia already green?
Much of B.C.'s electricity comes from large hydro generation facilities that can have significant environmental impacts. In addition, B.C. has local thermal generation facilities and also imports from sources that are not as clean as hydro electricity.
The B.C. wind power industry is in the early stages of development and has significant potential for growth. Bullfrog sources 100% wind power from Bear Mountain Wind Park, the first fully operational wind project in the province. Bullfrog Power's goal is to continue to advance the development of new wind power in the province, just as it has in Ontario and Alberta. By choosing to bullfrogpower their homes and businesses, British Columbians are creating demand for and supporting the development of renewable electricity generation, helping to create a more diverse and sustainable economy, and reducing their personal impacts on the environment.
Do I need any special equipment or wiring?
No. You do not need any special equipment or wiring to choose renewable energy nor are service calls to your home necessary to get you started. You will continue to draw power from the electricity grid as you always have, and we ensure that the amount of renewable power you purchase is put onto the regional electricity grid.
Can I cancel my agreement?
Yes, you can cancel your Bullfrog Power agreement at any time simply by notifying Bullfrog Power. There are no cancellation fees or penalties.
Aside from the price for green electricity 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 for your electricity for your electricity service and are charged separately by bullfrog for the greening of your electricity supply.
How do I know that I'm getting what I pay for?
All of Bullfrog Power's suppliers are required by Environment Canada's EcoLogoM standard to guarantee that at least as much electricity is injected into the electricity grid as they sell.
Additionally, Deloitte, an internationally recognized accounting firm, conducts an annual audit that verifies that at least as much EcoLogo-certified power is injected onto the grid as our customers consume and that the associated Green Electricity Certificates are retired as well. To review the most recent audits, click here.
Please email us if you wish to be notified when next year's audit becomes available.
Does green energy reduce greenhouse gas emissions?
EcoLogo-certified electricity generation facilities, such as wind and low-impact water power generators, are clean and do not produce any emissions that contribute to climate change or air pollution. In order to become EcoLogo certified, these generation facilities must also meet Environment Canada's criteria for minimizing the impact of the facility on the local environment.
The negative environmental attributes of traditional electricity generation are well known: CO2 is a major greenhouse gas contributing to global warming, NO and SO2 are major causes of smog, and Radioactive Waste is a highly toxic, long-lasting material that must be protected for thousands of years.
How are my emissions reductions calculated?
Many of Bullfrog Power's customers are curious to understand how their purchase of green electricity affects their environmental footprint. Bullfrog Power maintains a calculator to illustrate emission/waste reductions that can be imputed to the environmental attributes being retired (per MWh) on behalf of Bullfrog Power customers.
When you become a Bullfrog customer, you will have access to updates on your emissions footprint reductions (by service period and cumulatively over the lifespan of your account with us).
Bullfrog Power maintains a calculator to estimate the emission/waste reductions associated with the Green Electricity Certificates retired (per unit of electricity known as a megawatt hour or MWh) on behalf of Bullfrog Power customers.
To understand the methodology we used to develop this calculator, click here. To view the calculator itself (an Excel spreadsheet), click here.
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 many other organizations. Bullfrog Power partners with these organizations to educate Canadians about the environmental and health benefits of clean, renewable power.
Click here to learn more about Bullfrog's partner organizations.
Click here for a list of some environmental and non-profit organizations.
Could Bullfrog Power handle a sudden, large increase in demand? Could you run out of power?
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 power online to meet the requirements of our growing customer base. 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.
How does wind power work?
Wind turbines produce electricity by capturing kinetic energy from surface winds, and converting that energy to electricity.
How much power can a wind turbine produce?
A single large-scale wind turbine produces enough energy to power approximately 500 homes. Clustered together in a wind farm, turbines can produce enough energy to power thousands of homes.
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. The Canadian Wind Energy Association closely monitors this and other important issues around wind power development and has published several fact sheets that address this and other important issues.
What if the wind isn't blowing? Will my power source be reliable?
When you sign up for Bullfrog Power, 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 Power is ensuring that as much low-impact renewable electricity is injected into the grid as you use, and all of the Green Electricity Certificates associated with this low-impact renewable electricity are retired on your behalf.
Residential Sign-up, Billing and Support FAQs
Where will my bill come from? Residences that currently receive an electricity bill will continue to receive that bill for the cost of conventional electricity. In addition, you will receive a separate electronic bill from Bullfrog for the greening of your electricity service. Bullfrog will invoice you monthly for your monthly usage (based on your estimated electricity usage) times the rate to green your electricity supply (2 cents per kWh), plus applicable taxes.
What if I live in an in apartment or condo and do not have a separate electricity meter and bill?
If you are not billed for electricity directly, you can still sign up for Bullfrog Power. Based on your estimated electricity usage, Bullfrog ensures that as much low-impact renewable electricity is injected into the electricity grid as you use.
Why will I receive two bills?
Your base electricity costs and the greening of your electricity service are billed separately; the first by your electric utility and the second by Bullfrog Power.
How do I determine my electricity usage?
If you receive an electricity bill, you can review your usage and estimate your average monthly electricity use based on this information (your utility may also provide online access to your historical usage). If you do not receive an electricity bill and do not have access to any historical electricity usage data for your home, simply select the average usage for your residence type as provided 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 estimation in our online sign up form.
What if my home doesn't strictly fall into the residence type options you've provided?
When selecting your residence type, please consider the number of bedrooms in your home as well as its square footage and pick the option that you believe is most accurate.
How do I make my payments?
As a residential customer in B.C., you have the option of paying your bill via pre-authorized credit card or the convenience of pre-authorized payment through your banking institution. You will receive an electronic bill showing the amount to be withdrawn at least ten days prior to the withdrawal date.
What if my usage changes over the year? How are energy conservation initiatives reflected on my bill?
Upon signing up with Bullfrog Power, the estimate of your electricity usage is based on your past electricity usage or the average for your residence type or size. If your electricity usage changes we encourage you to update this estimate at any time so that the amount of green power you pay for matches your actual usage as closely as possible.
When will I receive my first Bullfrog Power bill?
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 on a monthly basis from your pre-authorized MasterCard, Visa, American Express or directly from your bank account depending on which option you select.
What is mybullfrog?
mybullfrog is your personalized and secure customer support area that provides convenient online access to your Bullfrog Power account information including access to your billing statements, emission reduction information, and tools to analyze your historical usage patterns. A second activation email is then sent as an added security measure so that our systems can verify your email address.
What happens if I move?
Once you have electricity service to your new home through your electric utility you can update your Bullfrog account information with your new address and new estimated usage. We will continue to provide service based on the information you provide.
What happens if there is a power outage?
Your electric utility will continue to maintain the infrastructure that delivers power to your premises, 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 regular electricity provider.
