CRS Renewable Energy Program Breaks New Ground
in Texas and Ohio
May 8. 2001
SAN FRANCISCO, CA: In preparation for electricity deregulation, diverse groups of stakeholders came together in the states of Texas and Ohio to develop a standard for renewable electricity to be sold under the Green-e certification mark. Electricity providers, environmental organizations, consumer protection advocates, government officials, and renewable energy generators all gathered to form a Regional Advisory Committee in each of the two states. Their mission was to determine the elements and requirements of renewable energy eligible for Green-e Certification.
Green-e is the nation's first voluntary certification and verification program for renewable electricity products. The Green-e Program sets consumer protection and environmental standards for electricity products, and verifies that Green-e certified products meet these standards. Inspired by the success of the recycling logo, the Green-e developed a logo to help customers to easily identify "green" electricity products. By setting environmental product standards and requiring companies to disclose information about their products, Green-e strives to inform consumers so that they may make responsible choices about the power they purchase.
The development of a Green-e Standard for certification begins as the Advisory Committee in that state meets to work through issues specific to their region, such as market supply and environmental sensitivities. Green-e sets a minimum national threshold that Regional Advisory Committees can strengthen but cannot make less stringent. The group must come to an agreement on such matters as what sources of renewable energy will be eligible, what minimum percentage of renewables each electricity product must contain, and what the new renewable content requirement will be. After the first introductory meeting where regional issues are identified, subcommittees are formed to research issues and make recommendations to the larger committee. The full Advisory Committee then votes on each issue and sends their recommendations for a regional Standard to the Green-e governing Board.
Ohio anticipates the approval of a Green-e Standard in June and Texas will have its standard developed by the end of July. Once approved, products can be certified under the Green-e seal of approval. When that state's market becomes open to competitive retail electricity competition, consumers can then take advantage of electric choice by directing their dollars to support environmentally friendly electricity. The Green-e Program provides consumers with the confidence to make the switch to renewable electricity by ensuring that they are getting environmentally preferable electricity.
Green-e is a program of the Center for Resource Solutions, a non-profit organization based in San Francisco's Presidio. CRS brings together diverse interests to preserve our environment, encourage sustainable economic growth; and promote clean energy for present and future generations. Dr. Jan Hamrin founded CRS and serves as the Executive Director. More information on the organization is available at www.resource-solutions.org
|
