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Green-e Consumer Product Labeling Fees and News for Green-e Participants
The Green-e Consumer Product Labeling Program
continues to experience remarkable growth with the addition of 22
new companies in 2006 totaling more than 200 consumer products displaying
the Green-e logo. The program's success has also produced
some growing pains. Based on feedback we've received from program
participants and staff, the Product Labeling Program (PLP) is undergoing a revamp.
Under the direction of Karen Loida, the new Director of Business and
Promotional Services, CRS will work to simplify the
program over the new few months. In an effort to improve and
restructure the program all new logo use requests will be put on hold
until January 2007. If this causes issues with any of your customers, please
let the PLP staff know, as our intent is not to slow
down momentum in the program. We understand that participation
in this program is a major incentive for business purchases. Once the
revamp is complete, Green-e staff will distribute and post the
revised program materials on the Green-e website. We appreciate
your understanding.
In addition, many are already aware that when the Green-e Logo Use
fee was implemented, we offered each green power purchaser the opportunity
to participate in the Green-e Product Labeling Program for free for
the first year. In August 2006, due to increased administrative costs
as a result of the exponential growth of the program, we no longer
offered thisfirst year free option.
Karen welcomes and appreciates any feedback, particularly what's
working and what can be improved. Comments can be sent to karen [at] resource-solutions [dot] org.
Green-e Retail Carbon Reduction Certification
The Green-e program convened an advisory group to assist in the development
of a certification standard for retail carbon emissions offset products.
The group's work will be released for stakeholder comment periodically
over the next few months. If you would like to be included as
a stakeholder in this process, please contact Alex Pennock at alex
[at] resource-solutions [dot] org. If you are a member of the press
and would like to receive updates on the group's progress, please contact
Jeff Swenerton at jeff [at] resource-solutions [dot] org. To
read the full press release, click here.
Wells Fargo Becomes the Second Largest REC Purchaser in the United States
We are excited to report that the second largest REC purchase in the history of the United States is Green-e certified. Wells Fargo purchased enough RECs from 3 Phases Energy to account for 40 percent of Wells Fargo’s total U.S. energy consumption. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the purchase makes Wells Fargo the top retail buyer of renewable energy in the United States outside of the federal government. To read the full press release, click here.
Check Out the New Green-e Website!
We have a new website and a new newsletter format! The brand new
website will feature a new way for consumers to browse the many Green-e
certified options available to them. Participants in the Green-e
program will enjoy new automated systems and a new organizational structure
to aid them in obtaining the information they need for verification,
marketing compliance review, and more. We also gave the Green-e
News a makeover! Let us know what you think: webmaster [at] green-e
[dot] org.
Recent Green-e Board Decision
The Green-e Governance Board met in June to consider
a request by Xcel Energy of Colorado for a one-time policy exemption
for the use of RECs from the first 6 months of
2004 for their 2005 sales. This
is because the Green-e true-up rules in the
Colorado criteria were not firm when Xcel signed
their Green-e contract. Xcel
agreed in writing that in 2006 and going forward,
they will adhere to current national Green-e
standards. The Green-e
Governance Board approved this request. Click
here for full meeting
minutes.
The Green-e Governance Board met in September to consider the proposed
standard for Community Aggregation and Green Utilities, the Platte
River Power Authority application for certification and to discuss
whether the Green-e program should have certification criteria that
relate to the price of utility green pricing programs. The
Board did not come to a final conclusion on the proposed standard
for community aggregation and green utilities and will continue to
discuss this at future meetings. The Board approved Platte
River Power Authority's application for certification. On
the pricing issue, the Green-e staff and Board decided that Green-e
will not add criteria to the Green-e Energy National Standard regarding
price. Pricing will be left to the market and to regulators
of utilities. Customers that disapprove of a product's
price may elect to purchase Green-e certified renewable energy certificates
rather than participate in the green pricing program.
11th National Renewable Energy Marketing Conference
The Eleventh National Renewable Energy
Marketing Conference, hosted by the Center
for Resource Solutions will take place in San
Francisco from December 3rd through 6th. This
is the preeminent conference for communicating
directly with key renewable energy and green
power industry players. Join us and explore
ways to design or expand a green power program,
increase revenues, effectively market to target
consumer segments, and enhance customer satisfaction
at the nation’s leading green power marketing
event. You won’t want to miss the insights
shared by experts, the interactive discussions,
and the outstanding networking opportunities.
For more information, go to: http://www.renewableenergymarketing.net.
If you are interested in learning more about
sponsorship opportunities, please contact Amber
Sharick at amber [at] resource-solutions [dot]
org or 415/561-2100.
Wind Energy Works Call for Members
Wind Energy Works!
is a national coalition of organizations that
aims to educate the public, media, and decision
makers at all levels about the benefits wind
can provide. Members receive regular
updates on issues and events. Wind
Energy Works! also highlights and promotes
what other members are doing to encourage any
relevant collaboration.
The coalition's vision is to be a
broad-based alliance of independent voices
providing a platform for organizations from
the environmental, agricultural, business,
health, social justice, faith, and academic
communities to promote their combined expertise
and perspective on the need for continued
wind energy development.
Ready to join? Contact Susan Williams
Sloan, ssloan [at] awea [dot] org or
512/220-9063 to learn more.
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