The program would be self-sustaining, with administrative and marketing costs charged back to the project. No subsidies would be provided from non-subscribers. The 5,600 parti cipants to date were solicited primarily through bill inserts in 1993 and 1994. Customers are allowed to contribute any amount they choose. The contribution may be monthly or in a lump sum.
Customers can exit the program through a phone call to the utility.
The major lesson learned is that partici pation hinges on customer awareness. The major challenge is how to create this aware ness. In addition, the Com pany is piggybacking on existing communi cation efforts and seizing local media opportunities. Recently focus groups were conducted with residential electric customers and industrial customers were surveyed to determine customer interest in a Green Pricing program. Based on the results of the research, the Company intends to decide in the near future whether or not to go forward with the program.