Gulf Power Offers Financial Incentives for Energy Conservation

Gulf Power is rolling out an energy conservation program called Earthcents that will help customers cut their electricity bills. Susan Story, Gulf Power president and CEO said participants in the EarthCents program can save up to 50 percent on their energy bills.

The EarthCents program will require approval from the Florida Public Service Commission. Gulf Power hopes to start the EarthCents program by the end of 2008.

The EarthCents program is a combination of numerous energy savings programs and informational efforts to reduce power consumption by individuals and businesses. The program includes energy saving programs such as geothermal heating and cooling and EnergySelect, which reduces power use during high-demand times when energy is most expensive, saving the customer money and reducing energy use.

The utility, which serves more than 425,000 customers in Northwest Florida, is offering incentives for customers to install solar thermal water heaters, with a finance program and state and company rebates. Customers will also be eligible for a federal income tax credit of $1,200 and save an average of $240 yearly in energy costs.

The program will also give customers free compact fluorescent bulbs for completing an energy audit. Other EarthCents programs include free energy surveys, energy efficiency programs for homebuilders and public education on energy conservation.

Utility spokesman, Jeff Rogers, said his company has reduced its power plant emissions 70 percent since 1992, mainly by developing emissions control systems at their plants. GoodCents, by reducing demand, has also helped lower emissions. GoodCents SELECT is an energy management system that allows customers to program their central heating and cooling system, electric water heater and their pool pump to automatically take advantage of lower rates during off-peak hours.

Gulf Power believes the EarthCents program will postpone the need for building new peaking power plants in the future as Florida continues to grow.

"EarthCents is one of the most comprehensive programs we've asked the FPSC to approve in years," said Lynn Erickson, corporate communications for Gulf Power.

Gulf Power's EarthCents' announcement comes less than a week after the utility announced that it is asking the Florida Public Service Commission to approve an increase in electricity prices to cover a $76 million shortfall in 2008 revenues. The increase would raise the cost of 1,000 kilowatt hours from $102.22 to $113.76 and compensate the rising cost of coal and natural gas, the two fuel sources used by Gulf Power for electricity, spokesman John Hutchinson said.