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Bullfrog Power—General Inquiries
Residential Sign Up and Support
Green Electricity— General Inquiries
General Inquiries
Who
is Bullfrog Power?
Bullfrog Power, Canada’s 100% green electricity provider, offers homes and businesses a 100% clean, renewable electricity choice. Bullfrog’s electricity comes exclusively from wind and hydro facilities that have been certified as low impact by Environment Canada under its EcoLogoM program instead of from polluting sources like coal, oil, natural gas, and nuclear.
Thousands of Canadian homes and businesses are doing their part to address climate change and air pollution by switching to green electricity from Bullfrog Power. Through this simple action, they are making a big difference.
Bullfrog currently provides a green electricity choice to everyone in British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario—and now—Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island.
Why choose Bullfrog Power?
Conventional electricity generation is a leading industrial source of carbon dioxide, the primary greenhouse gas linked to climate change, as well as other emissions that contribute to poor air quality. By choosing Bullfrog Power, homes and businesses can take a stand for 100% green electricity, reduce their environmental impact and create a cleaner world for today and tomorrow.
Across Canada, Bullfrog customers are advancing the development of renewable power. By choosing green electricity, Bullfrog customers not only set an example within their communities but also send an important message to government about the importance of renewable power, helping to influence energy policy on which renewable power depends. As more and more individuals and businesses take action, the growing demand of Bullfrog customers enables new renewable power facilities to be built. Several new wind turbines have already been commissioned as a result. In the Maritime provinces, Bullfrog’s goal is to advance the development of new wind power—just as it has done in other parts of Canada.
Where does Bullfrog Power come from?
Bullfrog’s electricity comes exclusively from wind and hydro facilities that have been certified as low impact by Environment Canada under its EcoLogoM program instead of from polluting sources like coal, oil, natural gas, and nuclear.
In the Maritime provinces, Bullfrog Power sources from wind farms and low-impact hydro facilities in Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick. Our goal is to advance the development of wind power throughout the Maritimes.
For more information on our generation sources, click here.
How does it work?
Bullfrog’s Maritimes generators inject renewable electricity onto the regional grid to match the amount your home or business uses. No special equipment is required at the customer site.
How can a customer sign up?
Bullfrogpowering a home or business with green electricity is easy. Customers can sign up online at www.bullfrogpower.com in less than 10 minutes and there is no start-up cost or special equipment required. Any home or business can sign up including apartments, condos and leased premises.
Can apartments, condos or leased premises (and homes that are not separately metered) become bullfrogpowered?
Any facility can be bullfrogpowered, including home and business spaces that are owned, leased or shared (and not separately metered). Bullfrog simply ensures that as much clean, renewable electricity is injected into the electricity grid as you use.
If you are not billed for electricity directly (e.g. renters whose electricity costs are absorbed in their rent), you can still sign up for Bullfrog Power based on your estimated electricity usage.
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 non-profit organizations. Many of these groups have bullfrogpowered their facilities in support of clean, renewable electricity. Bullfrog Power partners with these organizations to educate Canadians about the environmental and health benefits of clean, renewable power. Leading environmental groups who support Bullfrog Power include WWF-Canada, the David Suzuki Foundation, the Pembina Institute, Ecology Action Centre, and many others.
 Click here to learn more about Bullfrog’s partner organizations.
Click here for a list of some environmental and non-profit organizations
who are bullfrogpowered.
How much does Bullfrog Power cost?
The cost to bullfrogpower a home is 2 cents per kilowatt hour (kWh), or less than $1 a day for the average Maritimes household—a small price to pay to make a meaningful difference. This green electricity premium is billed separately from regular electricity costs.
Many Bullfrog Power customers implement a few extra energy efficiency measures around their home or business after signing up to help offset the cost.
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 service and are charged separately by Bullfrog for the greening of your electricity supply.
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.
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.
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 EcoLogoM -certified power is injected into 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.
How are the emission reductions treated?
Whenever a megawatt hour (MWh) of electricity is produced by an EcoLogoM - certified low-impact renewable generation facility and injected onto the electricity grid, it reduces the need for a MWh of conventional electricity and results in environmental benefits. 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. Green Electricity Certificates represent the positive environmental benefits associated with producing green power. When you choose Bullfrog Power, we retire all of the Green Electricity Certificates associated with the low-impact renewable electricity on your behalf. As a result, you are entitled to claim that you have eliminated your home’s electricity-related emissions footprint.
How are my emissions reductions calculated?
Many of Bullfrog Power’s customers are curious to understand how their purchase affects their environmental footprint. Bullfrog Power maintains a calculator to estimate the emission/waste reductions associated with the green electricity injected onto the regional grid 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).
To understand the methodology we used to develop this calculator, click here. To view the calculator itself (an Excel spreadsheet), click here.
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. Since Bullfrog launched in 2005, bullfrogpowered homes and businesses have provided the demand for several new wind projects in Canada. Our goal in the Maritimes is to increase the supply of new renewable power, just like we have done in other parts of Canada.
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.
Is Bullfrog Power publicly traded?
Bullfrog Power is a privately held company, and is not currently listed on any stock exchange.
Residential Sign-up and Support FAQs
Do I need any special equipment or wiring?
No. You do not need any special equipment or wiring to sign up for Bullfrog Power 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 Bullfrog’s generators will inject renewable electricity onto the regional grid to match the amount your home uses.
Will becoming bullfrogpowered affect my current supplier agreement?
No. The greening of your electricity service is billed separately from your base electricity costs. As a result, becoming bullfrogpowered will not affect your current power supplier agreement.
Is there any charge from my local utility for greening my power
through Bullfrog Power?
There is no charge from your local utility for becoming bullfrogpowered.
Who maintains the wires that deliver electricity to my home?
Your local utility will continue to maintain the infrastructure that delivers electricity to your home, and you will continue to draw power from the electricity grid as you always have. The reliability of your service will therefore be unaffected by the switch to Bullfrog Power.
What is the current rate for Bullfrog Power?
The cost to bullfrogpower your home is 2 cents per kilowatt hour (kWh)—a small price to pay to make a meaningful difference. This green electricity premium is billed separately from regular electricity costs.
How will I be billed?
Bullfrog will bill 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.
For example, if your usage is 900 kWh per month, you will be charged 900 x $0.02 = $18.00 plus applicable taxes.
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.
If you do not receive an electricity bill (e.g., renters whose electricity costs are absorbed in their rent), you will begin receiving a bill from Bullfrog for the greening of your electricity based on the billing structure above.
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
Bullfrog provides?
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.
When will I receive my first Bullfrog Power bill?
The greening of your power will become effective immediately following your completion of the sign up process. 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 MasterCard, Visa or American Express, or directly from your bank account depending on which option you select.
If you currently receive a bill from your electricity supplier, you will continue to receive it after you become bullfrogpowered.
How do I make my payments?
As a residential customer in the Maritimes, you have the option of paying your bill via pre-authorized credit card or the convenience of pre-authorized payment through your bank. 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?
Upon signing up with Bullfrog Power, the estimate of your electricity usage is based on your past electricity usage, or the average usage 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.
To update the estimate, contact us with the details and we will make the appropriate billing adjustments.
Can I cancel my agreement?
Yes, you can cancel your Bullfrog Power agreement at any time simply by notifying us. There are no cancellation fees or penalties; however, you are responsible for any charges for Bullfrog Power incurred up to the date of cancellation.
What is mybullfrog?
mybullfrog is your personalized and secure online customer support area that provides access to your Bullfrog Power account information including billing statements, emissions reduction information, and tools to analyze your historical usage patterns. You can register for mybullfrog through the online sign up form. An activation email will then be sent as a security measure so that our systems can verify your email address.
What happens if I move?
You can easily update your Bullfrog account information with your new usage information or residence type. Call us at 1.877.360.3464 or email us at info@bullfrogpower.com as soon as you have your move date and new address.
What happens if there is a power outage?
Your local utility will continue to maintain the infrastructure that delivers power to your home, 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 local utility directly.
Green Electricity— General Inquiries
Are there different types of EcoLogoM
power?
There are three different types of EcoLogoM power, known as Type I, Type II and Type III. The distinction between types is based on age of the generation facilities producing the electricity. 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 2001 are eligible to be certified as Type III. The criteria for EcoLogoM 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 the Maritime provinces, Bullfrog Power sources from Type III wind farms and low-impact hydro facilities in Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick. Our goal is to advance the development of wind power throughout the Maritimes—just as Bullfrog has done in other parts of Canada.
What is low-impact hydro? What is the difference between low-impact hydro and regular hydro?
Low-impact hydro refers to hydroelectric generation that minimizes disruption of local habitats. Many large hydro generation facilities cause ecological damage to the local habitat and wildlife. Bullfrog Power only sources energy from hydro power generation facilities that have been certified as low impact by Environment Canada under its EcoLogoM program. This standard requires that the facilities meet a range of environmental criteria including the protection of indigenous species and habitat, and take steps to minimize fish mortality and preserve fish migration patterns.
Does green energy reduce greenhouse gas emissions?
EcoLogoM-certified electricity generation facilities, such as wind and low-impact hydro power generators, are clean and do not produce any emissions that contribute to climate change or air pollution. In order to become EcoLogoM-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 does wind power work?
Wind turbines produce electricity by capturing kinetic energy from surface winds, and converting that energy to electricity. Wind power does not produce any emissions that contribute to climate change.
Does Canada have good wind power resources?
With its long coastlines, generous land, and ample high winds, Canada offers an ideal environment for wind power production.
View CanWEA and Canadian Geographic's wind energy in Canada poster map.
How much power can a wind turbine produce?
A single large-scale wind turbine produces enough energy to power 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 EcoLogo 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 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.
How do I set up my own turbine or small hydro generation?
If you are interested in learning more about generating power from your own site, you may wish to visit the Canadian Wind Energy Association site at www.canwea.ca.
How can I conserve? Worried about the extra costs of going green?
Bullfrog Power advocates conservation in order to reduce your environmental footprint and your electricity costs. We offer several conservation tips at: www.bullfrogpower.com/clean/conservation.cfm. Conserving can help reduce not only your electricity charges but also the regulatory, debt retirement and a portion of the delivery charges on your conventional electricity bill. Please keep in mind that every utility differs in how they calculate the administrative charges. If you are interested in the breakdown of these fees, please visit your local utility’s website or call their customer service line.
The Kerr Family reduced their electricity consumption by about 60% more than offsetting the premium paid for green power. You can view their story here. By cutting your consumption of electricity, not only are you helping the environment, but you are also reducing the overall cost of your electricity bill.
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