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34 | I nsIgh t • A u g u s t 2 0 14 w w w . i n s i g h t o n b u s i n e s s . c o m enables businesses and consumers to purchase 100 kilowatt-hour blocks of renewable energy generated either from wind or biogas. At the program's peak, Wisconsin businesses and consumers were purchasing nearly 30 million Kwh of renewable energy. new discoveries of natural gas reserves have lessened some of the industrial demand, though the program is still selling more than 11 million Kwh per year, Michael R. Moore, senior renewable and product services consultant with WPs, says. "at is the struggle with all renewables right now. natural gas is cheap," Moore says. ere is a premium associated with the natureWise program, which is based on the price of the energy on the open market and the cost of renewable generation. Currently, that premium is $2.40 per 100-Kwh block. at cost is attributable to the cost of building and maintaining renewable generation facilities, which currently cost more than traditional methods. As renewable power sources become a greater part of the energy mix, costs are expected to decrease. Business partners can participate at three levels – champion, steward or advocate — determined by the number of blocks purchased. UW-Oshkosh is at the champion level along with other new north companies such as Van Lanen, Inc. in green Bay and service Litho Print, Inc. in Oshkosh. Participating in the program is more than a marketing opportunity, Moore says. Many companies have implemented aggressive sustainability plans to reduce their reliance on fossil- fuel-based sources as part of the bottom line. Additionally, companies that export overseas, particularly to the European market, have to meet strict specifications for use of renewable energy sources in the production of the product. "at ability to say 'I've produced this product with renewable energy' has become a much more important factor for exporters," Moore says. "We have the ability to help them with particular product runs or just their general use of renewables. It can be pretty flexible." Renewable energy use has also come into play for companies seeking LEED certification. Depending on the level, use of renewable energy is oen a part of that process. Business events have also become a popular venue for showcasing the use of renewables through the natureWise program. At the recent green Bay Area Chamber of Commerce Business Recognition Luncheon, the event was entirely powered through renewable energy sources. "It's a pretty easy process, we just need to ID how much energy is going to be needed for the event and then make the purchase," Moore says. "We can help with those kinds of things so that companies can experiment a bit." Your Business Banking Partner. David G. Kruck - AVP-Commercial Banking 920.729.6941| dkruck@fnbfoxvalley.com - Complex Loan Solu ons - Cash Management Services - Local Decision Making - Personalized Service fnbfoxvalley.com Member FDIC EnErgy