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General Inquiries
Green
Electricity
General Inquiries
Who is Bullfrog Power?
Bullfrog Power, Canada’s 100% green electricity provider, offers homes and businesses a 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 choosing green electricity with 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, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island.
Is Bullfrog Power licensed by the Ontario Energy Board (OEB)?
Yes, Bullfrog Power is licensed by the OEB as an electricity retailer. Our license number is ER-2010-0063. This license allows Bullfrog Power to operate as an electricity retailer throughout Ontario.
Where does Bullfrog Power come from?
In Ontario, 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.
For more information on our generation sources, click here.
How does it work?
Bullfrog Power does not inject the green electricity directly into your home. With Bullfrog Power, you continue to draw electricity from the regional grid—just as you always have—and Bullfrog’s generators inject renewable electricity onto the grid to match the amount of power your home or business uses. No special equipment or wiring is required. (Note that to inject green electricity into your home would require the building of a parallel transmission and distribution system across the province, which would be neither environmentally nor financially sound.)
By choosing green electricity with Bullfrog Power, individuals help green the electricity grid as the renewable power produced on their behalf displaces the amount of power otherwise produced by fossil fuel-based generating stations. Bullfrog customers also help to stimulate a greater reliance on renewable sources.
View this short video to learn more about how it works.
How can a customer sign up?
Bullfrogpowering your home with green electricity is easy. Customers can sign up online 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.
Does the green power go directly to my home?
Bullfrog Power does not inject the green electricity directly into your home. To inject green electricity into your home would require the building of a parallel transmission and distribution system across the province, which would be neither environmentally nor financially sound.
With Bullfrog Power, you continue to draw electricity from the regional grid—just as you always have—and Bullfrog’s generators inject renewable electricity onto the grid to match the amount of power your home or business uses. No special equipment or wiring is required.
By choosing green electricity with Bullfrog Power, individuals help green the electricity grid as the renewable power produced on their behalf displaces the amount of power otherwise produced by fossil fuel-based generating stations. Bullfrog customers also help to stimulate a greater reliance on renewable sources.
View this short video to learn more about how it works.
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. Bullfrog Power does not inject the green electricity directly into the space or facility. With Bullfrog Power, you continue to draw electricity from the regional grid—just as you always have—and Bullfrog’s generators inject renewable electricity onto the grid to match the amount of power your home or business uses. No special equipment or wiring is required. (Note that to inject green electricity into your space or facility would require the building of a parallel transmission and distribution system across the province, which would be neither environmentally nor financially sound.)
Even 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.
How much does Bullfrog Power cost?
You can sign up for Bullfrog Power through one of two options: unbundled or bundled billing. Regardless of which option you choose, the extra cost to green your electricity service through Bullfrog Power is less than 80 cents a day for an average home in Ontario—a small price to pay to make a meaningful difference.
Through the unbundled billing option, you will continue to pay for the cost of conventional electricity through your current payment method (e.g., utility bill, or absorbed in rent or condo fees). You will then receive a separate bill from Bullfrog Power to green your power (3 cents per kilowatt hour [kWh]).
If you prefer to be billed directly by your utility and receive only one bill, you can choose the bundled option (if it is available in your area). For 8.9 cents per kWh, Bullfrog Power will supply your home with green electricity by injecting renewable electricity into the grid to match the amount of power your home uses. Your price is guaranteed for a year, and you can discontinue your service at any time. Please note, however, that with this option the Provincial Benefit charge will also appear on your bill, and you will have to renew annually.
Many Bullfrog Power customers implement a few extra energy efficiency measures around their home or business after signing up to help offset the cost.
What is the impact on the new Green Energy Act on Bullfrog Power in Ontario?
The green power produced on behalf of Bullfrog Power's customers is independent of, and incremental to, the new renewable power being brought online as a result of the Green Energy Act. In addition, by purchasing from Bullfrog Power, our customers are ensuring that 100% of their electricity needs are met with green power, rather than only a small portion (as is the case with the standard mix available to all Ontarians). For more information on Bullfrog and the Green Energy Act, click here.
What are smart meters and time-of-use (TOU) rates, and how do TOU rates affect my Bullfrog Power bill?
Smart meters and Time-of-Use (TOU) rates are energy management tools provided by utilities across Ontario to encourage homeowners to conserve electricity, and use electricity during off-peak hours when possible. Once installed, smart meters automatically record a home’s electricity consumption on an hourly basis. Time-of-use rates refer to the three different rates applied to electricity usage during the day—rates are highest during on-peak periods, and lowest during off-peak hours. Ultimately, by conserving electricity, adopting energy efficiency measures throughout the home and managing when electricity is used, Ontarians can save on electricity bills, and reduce their demand on the electricity grid.
To accommodate the TOU program in Ontario, which is currently being implemented throughout all homes in the province, Bullfrog Power has introduced a new billing and payment option for our customers: the unbundled billing option. Customers who choose the unbundled billing option pay their conventional electricity bill—and can take advantage of time-of-use rates where available—and are billed separately by Bullfrog for the cost of greening their electricity supply.
Please contact your local utility for smart meter availability in your area and TOU rates.
Why does green electricity cost more?
Green energy is more expensive to produce, but is more valuable as it is clean, 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 as the externalities associated with its production (i.e., the environmental and health impacts) are increasingly reflected in the cost. The price difference between green and traditional power should therefore reduce over time. For more information on this issue, read our whitepaper on the true cost of energy.
How do I know that I’m getting what I pay for?
Bullfrog's electricity comes exclusively from wind and hydro facilities that have been certified as low impact by Environment Canada under its EcoLogoM program. This standard ensures the facilities are emissions-free and have a minimal impact on the ecosystem and local community.
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 grid as they sell.
Additionally, 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.
Do wind turbines affect human health?
Research indicates that wind turbines do not produce negative effects on human health. In May 2010, Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health released a report concluding that “the scientific evidence available to date does not demonstrate a direct causal link between wind turbine noise and adverse health effects” and “the sound level from wind turbines at common residential setbacks is not sufficient to cause hearing impairment or other direct health effects.” The study was conducted with the assistance of members from Ontario’s health care community and involved a comprehensive analysis of peer-reviewed research studies, review articles, reports, presentations and websites. Access the report here.
Bullfrog Power believes that appropriate setbacks and community consultations prior to project development are nevertheless important to ensure that impacts on local communities are minimized. Further, Bullfrog only sources energy from wind farms that meet Environment Canada's EcoLogoM standard, which requires generators to meet rigorous environmental and social criteria. For example, projects must be accompanied by evidence that prior or conflicting land use, biodiversity losses and scenic, recreational and cultural values have been addressed during project planning, and that the project will not result in irreparable degradation or loss of the site’s heritage, cultural, recreational and/or touristic values. In addition, to attain certification, generators must conduct appropriate consultation with communities and stakeholders prior to development, and address issues of concern and the mitigation of negative impacts.
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 that support Bullfrog Power include WWF-Canada, the David Suzuki Foundation, the Pembina Institute, the Bruce Trail Conservancy, 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.
What are GECs or RECs?
Whenever a megawatt hour (MWh) of electricity is produced by an EcoLogoM-certified low-impact renewable generation facility and injected onto the electricity grid, a corresponding Green Electricity Certificate (GEC) (also known as a Renewable Energy Certificate [REC]) is created to represent the positive environmental benefits associated with producing green power. 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. To learn more about EcoLogoM certification, visit www.environmentalchoice.com. To download the criteria document for low-impact renewable electricity generation, click here.
In addition to ensuring that as much low-impact renewable electricity is injected onto the electricity grid as you use, Bullfrog Power retires the associated Green Electricity Certificates on your behalf. This entitles you to claim that you are using green electricity and that your environmental footprint has been reduced accordingly. An internationally recognized accounting firm conducts an annual audit to confirm, among other things, that as many Green Electricity Certificates have been retired on behalf of Bullfrog Power’s customers as Bullfrog Power has sold. The audit also ensures that these Green Electricity Certificates cannot be resold or double counted (i.e., the emissions reductions cannot be claimed by more than one party).
Want to find out more about GECs? The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has developed a white paper, which provides a brief overview of Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs): what they are, how they work, and why they are an important option for individual and organizational buyers in renewable electricity and green power markets (www.epa.gov/greenpower/gpmarket/rec.htm).
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 clean, renewable electricity on your behalf. As a result, you are entitled to claim the associated environmental benefits, and 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 Bullfrog Power 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.
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.
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. 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 renewable power.
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: carbon dioxide is a major greenhouse gas contributing to climate change, nitric oxide and sulphur dioxide 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.
Visit Canadian Geographic's Wind Energy in Canada page.
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 EcoLogoM 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.
Further, a 2001 study of wind farms in the United States and the UK found minimal ecological impacts on bird populations (Kerlinger; Avian Issues and Potential Impacts Associated with Wind Power). Relatively speaking, wind turbines kill very few birds compared with other sources. The Erickson study (Erikson et al.; A Summary and Comparison of Bird Mortality from Anthropogenic Causes with an Emphasis on Collisions) also found that of every 10,000 bird fatalities in the United States, less than 1 is caused by wind turbines compared to 5,820 by buildings/windows, 1,370 by high-tension lines, 1,060 by household cats and 850 by vehicles.
The Canadian Wind Energy Association closely monitors 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’s generators inject renewable electricity onto the regional grid to match the amount of power your home uses, and Bullfrog ensures all of the Green Electricity Certificates associated with this renewable electricity are retired on your behalf.
How do I set up my own turbine or small hydro generation?
As an electricity provider, we are not currently involved in the installation of power generation systems, but 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 or the Ontario Water Power Association at www.owa.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 it calculates 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 its 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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