What makes a REC Green-e certified?

A Renewable Energy Certificate (REC) becomes Green-e certified when it meets the stringent standards established by the Green-e Energy program, which is administered by the non-profit Center for Resource Solutions (CRS). Green-e is North America's leading independent certification program for renewable energy.  

Here are the key criteria and processes that make a REC Green-e certified:

• Eligible Renewable Energy Sources: The electricity associated with the REC must be generated from new facilities (typically built within the last 15 years) utilizing eligible renewable resources. These resources include:  

   
  • Wind
  • Solar (electric and thermal)
  • Geothermal
  • Certain types of Hydropower (meeting specific environmental standards)
  • Certain types of Biomass (meeting specific efficiency and environmental standards)
  • Landfill gas and wastewater treatment gas
  • Ocean energy

• Tracking System Verification: Green-e relies on approved renewable energy tracking systems (registries) in North America (like M-RETS, WREGIS, NEPOOL GIS, PJM GATS, NYGATS, MIRECS, ERCOT, NAR, and NCRETS) to verify that the REC is unique, properly issued, tracked, and retired. This ensures that each REC is only counted once.

• Chain of Custody Verification: Green-e verifies the entire chain of custody of the certified renewable energy, from generation to retirement, ensuring that the purchaser has sole title to the environmental benefits represented by the REC. This involves an annual Verification Process Audit where participants must demonstrate the correct quantity and type of renewable energy were procured and retired to match their certified sales.

• Marketing Transparency and Accuracy: Sellers of Green-e certified RECs must adhere to strict marketing guidelines, ensuring complete transparency and accuracy in how the product is sold and represented to consumers. Green-e conducts an annual Marketing Compliance Review to ensure participants are not making false or misleading claims.  

• Environmental Integrity: Green-e standards aim to ensure that the renewable energy comes from sources that meet high environmental quality standards and support the development of new renewable energy capacity. The age restriction on facilities (typically 15 years) is in place to encourage the building of new renewable generation.  

• Avoidance of Double Counting: A crucial aspect of Green-e certification is ensuring that the renewable energy associated with the REC is not double-counted. This means the REC cannot be used to comply with mandatory renewable energy quotas (like state RPS programs) and also be sold as a voluntary Green-e certified REC. Green-e certification is intended to represent renewable energy purchases above and beyond what is legally required.

• Third-Party Verification: The entire Green-e certification process involves independent, third-party verification to ensure adherence to the program's standards.

In summary, a REC becomes Green-e certified through a rigorous process that verifies the source and environmental attributes of the renewable energy, ensures proper tracking and ownership, and demands transparent and accurate marketing practices. This certification provides assurance to consumers and businesses that they are purchasing high-quality renewable energy and making a credible environmental claim.