Center for Resource Solutions Updates Green-e Energy National Standard

Changes to Standard follow stakeholder review, include new 15-Year Rolling "New Date," and updates to hydropower, landfill methane capture and destruction, and other criteria


Contact
Jeff Swenerton
Communications Director
Center for Resource Solutions
415-561-2119
jeff@resource-solutions.org

SAN FRANCISCO, CA (July 15, 2010)—Center for Resource Solutions today announced new updates to the Green-e Energy National Standard, the governing document that defines eligibility and requirements for Green-e Energy Certified products. The Green-e Governance Board voted to approve these changes after receiving comments from two stakeholder review periods. Highlights of the changes include:

  • 15-Year Rolling "New Date." The date by which a renewable energy generation facility must have come online in order to be eligible to supply renewable energy to a Green-e Energy Certified renewable energy product was changed from 1997 to 15 years before the year of sale.
  • Hydropower Certification. The eligibility requirements for hydropower facilities supplying a Green-e Energy Certified product were updated to require Low Impact Hydropower Institute certification for US facilities, regardless of size, and EcoLogo certification for Canadian facilities.
  • Participation in Cap-and-Trade Programs. Language was updated to reflect the Board's decision to make all renewable generators that are within the boundaries of a cap-and-trade program ineligible unless a specific mechanism exists to maintain the carbon avoidance value of renewable generation under the cap.
  • New Policies on Hawaii and Michigan Renewables. Recent developments in Hawaii and Michigan renewable energy policy require special treatment in the National Standard. These changes are detailed in Appendix A to the National Standard and go into effect immediately.

These and other updates to the National Standard were voted on by the Green-e Governance Board following the second open stakeholder comment period that concluded May 14, 2010. Comments were received from a wide-ranging group of stakeholders, including nonprofits, government agencies, consumer groups, renewable energy marketers, and utilities. The Green-e Governance Board voted on the changes at a May 25, 2010, meeting, and the majority of the changes will go into exclusive effect one year from the date of this announcement, on July 15, 2011.

For more information about the Green-e Energy National Standard, and to download the updated version or a summary of changes, see Green-e Energy National Standard and Governing Documents. For details about CRS's standard-setting procedures and ongoing work program for updating its standards in the future, see Standard Setting Procedures and Standard Review Work Program.


About Green-e
Green-e is the nation's leading independent consumer protection program for the sale of renewable energy and greenhouse gas reductions in the retail market. Green-e offers certification and verification of renewable energy and greenhouse gas mitigation products through Green-e Energy, a renewable energy certification program; Green-e Climate, a greenhouse gas emission reduction certification program; and Green-e Marketplace, a program that licenses the Green-e logo for organizations that purchase or generate sufficient quantities of renewable energy. To learn more about Green-e Certified products and programs available in all 50 states, visit www.green-e.org.

About Center for Resource Solutions
Green-e is a program of Center for Resource Solutions (CRS). CRS creates policy and market solutions to advance sustainable energy. To learn more, visit www.resource-solutions.org.

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