Plug-in Vehicles Make a Statement

In 2007, WPPI introduced the first two plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) to join a utility company’s fleet in the Midwest, and supported the introduction with an extensive schedule of public appearances for the vehicles.

WPPI converted two Toyota Prius cars into PHEVs as part of Plug-In Partners, a national campaign to urge automakers to accelerate development of this technology. PHEVs drastically reduce the need for the use of gasoline in transportation, offering the benefits of a healthier economy, a cleaner environment and greater energy security.

PHEVs use the same technology as the popular hybrids on the road today, but they have a larger battery that can be recharged by plugging into a standard home outlet. They can travel up to 30 miles on electricity before using the standard, gas-electric operating system. As a result, PHEVs get up to 100 miles per gallon or more.

Named for their personalized license plates, GAS SIPR and GD IDEA appeared at more than 40 events in 2007, including parades, festivals and open houses in WPPI member communities, as well as regional and national conferences and energy fairs. In addition, the vehicles traveled on routine WPPI business, building awareness with their eye-catching graphics and environmental message.

Hybrid and Electric Vehicle Incentives

WPPI member communities also joined in the effort to “lead by example” in the area of electric vehicle technology. Several member utilities took advantage of incentives offered by WPPI to purchase hybrid vehicles, convert hybrids into plug-in vehicles or add neighborhood electric vehicles (NEVs) to their local fleets.

Nine member utilities received such incentives in 2007, with three purchasing hybrids and six purchasing battery-powered NEVs for their utility fleets. The new vehicles serve to educate the public about fuel efficiency and the opportunity to reduce harmful emissions. Many more members have expressed interest in receiving WPPI incentives in 2008 — including four member communities who will convert hybrids to PHEVs — and most have joined the Plug-In Partners campaign along with WPPI.

Renewable Energy Sales

WPPI’s Renewable Energy Program, a voluntary participation program in which customers may choose to offset some or all of their energy use with purchases of renewable energy, continued to grow in 2007. Sales were boosted by “chief executive challenges” in nine member communities where personalized appeals went out to customers from the local mayors, village presidents and utility governing bodies. More than 60 percent of the total sales increase came from communities that conducted these letter campaigns; some communities saw a 30 percent increase in customer participation.

The leadership shown by local utilities in advancing renewable energy exemplifies how WPPI and its members can work together to shape change at the community level.

The average residential participation level across 40 WPPI member communities that offer the program is almost 2.5 percent, comparing favorably to the 2007 national average of 1.8 percent cited by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. Four communities — River Falls, Lake Mills, Stoughton and Oconto Falls — have participation levels exceeding 4 percent.

A new bulk rate option became available to the industrial market, and sales of renewable energy to these customers more than doubled in 2007. Participating customers include Appleton Coated, a customer of Kaukauna Utilities; George Whiting Paper Co. of Menasha; Meister Cheese of Muscoda; University of Wisconsin-River Falls; and the WPPI Office and Operations Facility in Sun Prairie.