About Green-e Energy
A one-page summary of Green-e EnergyGreen-e Energy is the nation's leading voluntary certification program for renewable energy. For over a decade, Green-e Energy has been certifying renewable energy that meets environmental and consumer protection standards that it developed in conjunction with leading environmental, energy and policy organizations. Green-e Energy also requires that sellers of certifed renewable energy disclose clear and useful information to potential customers, allowing consumers to make informed choices.

When you see our logo and buy renewable energy that is Green-e Energy certified, you know that:

• You are supporting new renewable resources: The windmill, solar panel or other generator that produced your renewable energy was built since 1997.
• There has been no double selling: You are the only one that can claim the benefits of the renewable energy you bought; these benefits include the fact that renewable energy produces little or no greenhouse gas emissions.
• Your purchase goes beyond business as usual: Generators that were built as the result of a law or mandate cannot sell renewable energy that is Green-e Energy certified. You are buying renewable energy beyond what is required by law, and helping expand the production of renewable energy in the U.S. and Canada.

The following three types of renewable energy options are eligible for Green-e Energy certification:

• Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs; also known as 'green tags')
• Utility Green Pricing Programs
• Competitive Electricity Products

Elements and Obligations of Green-e Energy Certification

Green-e requires organizations offering a certified renewable energy option to:

• Meet the requirements for renewable resources detailed in the Green-e Energy Standard;
• Abide by a professional Code of Conduct that governs the marketing and business practices of the participating organizations;
• Follow the Green-e Energy Customer Disclosure Requirements, including the following:
  • Provide customer with a Product Content Label for the certified renewable energy option, which identifies the renewable resource type they supply (such as wind or solar) and the geographic location of the renewable energy generator, and
  • Provide customers with simple, clear Price, Terms and Conditions for the renewable energy option;
• Undergo an annual verification process audit to ensure that they are buying enough of the right types of renewable energy to match their certified sales to customers;
• Complete a twice-annual review of marketing materials to ensure the organization is not making false or misleading statements about their certified renewable energy option(s) and is following the Green-e Customer Disclosure Requirements;
• Pay an annual fee to cover the costs associated with certification.

In return, organizations offering a Green-e certified renewable energy option can:

• Use the trademarked Green-e logo to identify that their product has met Green-e’s high standards;
• Ensure their customers’ confidence in their certified renewable energy option;
• Inform their customers that they are eligible to participate in Green-e Marketplace, a program that grants purchasers of Green-e certified renewable energy (who meet the logo use requirements) the ability to display the Green-e logo in relation to their consumer products, services, offices, or retail locations;
• Receive complimentary membership in the Marketers’ Marketers Group; 
• Receive marketing support by having their certified renewable energy option(s) listed on the Green-e website and in other Green-e marketing materials;
• Enjoy the promotion of their certified renewable energy option through a press release announcement and in the Green-e News.

For more information about Green-e Energy, call 415-561-2100 or email energy [at] green-e [dot] org.