SAN FRANCISCO, CA (January 29, 2004): The
Center for Resource Solutions (CRS) now certifies a Canadian
renewable energy option marketed in the US. Vision Quest Windelectric
recently became the first Canadian provider to sell Green-e
certified tradable renewable certificates (TRCs) in the US.
Now consumers in the US can choose Canadian TRCs with the Green-e
Logo's independent assurance that their purchase supports generation
from high quality, newly developed renewable energy plants.
TRCs, also known as "green tags," are
created when renewable energy is substituted for traditional
power. TRCs represent
the environmental benefits of renewable energy generation in
the form of a marketable commodity that both businesses and
individuals can use to offset harmful air emissions from coal
and gas-fired generation and help reduce dependence on fossil
fuels to produce electricity.
Vision Quest, Canada's largest producer
of wind energy, owns and operates wind farms and turbines
throughout Canada, and
sells both renewable electricity and TRC products. Through
their Green-e certified Green Energy® Tags, businesses and
individuals in the US can purchase Canadian renewable energy
certificates with the assurance that an independent third party
verifies the source, quality and amount of correlating wind
power.
"Green-e certification of a Canadian-based green power option
builds consumer confidence in high quality, international renewable
options," said Gabe Petlin, Green-e Program Manager. "When
they see the Green-e logo, consumers of Green Energy® Tags
in the US can be confident they are receiving the environmental
benefits of green power as well as helping to grow the supply
of clean renewable energy in North America."
CRS' Green-e Program is the leading renewable energy certification
and verification program in the US. Green-e sets standards
for renewable electricity-based products in three markets:
restructured, regulated and TRCs. Green-e currently certifies
60 products sold by 98 marketers and utilities. To earn Green-e
certification, TRCs must originate from 100% newly built renewable
facilities that generate energy from the sun, the wind, the
heat of the Earth, low-impact hydropower, biogas, or biofuels.
Certified TRC providers also agree to
abide by the Green-e Code of Conduct, and to submit marketing
materials to CRS to
meet Green-e disclosure and truth-in-advertising requirements.
Vision Quest Windelectric will undergo an annual verification
audit to document that the company purchased or generated enough
quantity and type of renewable certificates to meet customer
demand and marketing claims. Green Energy® Tags are also GreenLeafT certified
through TerraChoice Environmental Service. Consumers in Canada
can also have confidence that Green Energy® Tags meet stringent
Canadian environmental protection standards and purchases are
verified by a local independent third party.
"More and more customers are purchasing renewable energy and
Green Energy® tags provide them with more options to do so," said
Jason Edworthy, Managing Director Vision Quest. "US customers
can purchase Green Energy® tags and be assured they are having
a positive impact on our shared environment."
More About Center for Resource Solutions
Green-e is a program of the Center for Resource Solutions (CRS), a national
nonprofit organization that makes it easier for people and organizations
to use renewable energy. CRS designs and operates national and international
programs that support the increased supply and use of renewable energy resources
such as wind, solar, biomass, geothermal and low-impact hydroelectric power.
To learn more about CRS, visit: www.resource-solutions.org.
More About Vision Quest
Vision Quest Windelectric is a division of TransAlta, and is Canada's largest
producer of wind energy. Vision Quest is active in Alberta as a generator,
holds electricity retailer licenses in Ontario, and has interests in wind
power projects in a number of other provinces. Vision Quest sells Green Energy® Electricity
and Green Energy® Tags which are green power products from pure wind energy.
Green Energy® Tags are available to customers across Canada and the US. For
more information, see www.greenenergy.com.
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