Des Moines, IOWA, April 24, 2001: Iowa energy experts, environmental activitists, utility representatives, and state government officials gathered in Des Moines last Friday to discuss environmentally friendly sources of electricity. Iowans are eager to harness the wind, the sun, and other renewable energy sources, and this meeting marked the kickoff of a process to define and certify green electricity products offered by utilities.

The Center for Resource Solutions (CRS), a non-profit group that promotes renewable energy, organized the meeting along with its local partner I-RENEW, to begin the process of initiating green pricing accreditation in the state of Iowa. "Green pricing" is when a utility gives their customers the choice of paying slightly more on their electric bill every month to support the development of renewable electricity generation, such as solar and wind. The accreditation of green pricing programs ensures that the utility is abiding by the best practices in the field. CRS is the national body known for its renewable energy certification programs, including the renowned Green-e certification program for states that have competitive electricity markets.

Iowa is not the only state with a regulated energy market that is making an effort to increase access for customers to choose to support renewable energy generation. The CRS green pricing accreditation effort also recently launched an initiative in Alabama, with a kickoff meeting held in Birmingham on March 23rd. CRS has also developed green pricing accreditation initiatives in Wisconsin, Georgia, Colorado, and the Tennessee Valley Authority region.

The Green Pricing Accreditation Initiative is administered by the Center for Resource Solutions, a non-profit organization dedicated to building human capacity and institutions for energy, economic and environmental sustainability. Based in San Francisco's Presidio, CRS administers national and international programs that preserve and protect the environment through the design of innovative strategies and increased utilization of sustainable technologies. Dr. Jan Hamrin founded CRS and serves as the Executive Director. For more information, please visit www.resource-solutions.org

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