WRISE Week in Philadephia: Learning about renewable electricity certificates and their importance to clean energy industries
As electricity generated from renewable resources like the wind and the sun continues to be an ever growing segment of our energy needs, it’s important to understand the key financial mechanisms and legal structures behind renewable generation. Not only do renewable electricity certificates (RECs) help to incentivize financing and investment of renewable energy projects, but they also help to ensure that in fact the electricity IS being generated from renewable resources – over 17% nationwide in 2019, according to the US Energy Information Administration! For states like Pennsylvania with renewable generation requirements (known as the Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard here), RECs are also a key policy mechanism by which the state government can ensure that obligated parties are meeting their statutory mandates to provide renewable energy each year.
On August 25th, a panel of experts on RECs will be presenting in a special webinar presentation panel so that we can all learn more about RECs and their numerous roles supporting renewable energy industries.
SPEAKERS
Michelle McGinty, Program Outreach Manager of the Center for Research Solutions (CRS): Michelle works to get the word out about the benefits of Green-e® certification and other program initiates at CRS. She initially developed an interest in Corporate Social Responsibility while studying at U.C. Berkeley, where she graduated with a B.S. in Business Administration. Michelle was later exposed to renewable energy while working at Sungevity, a national residential solar provider, and continues to enjoy helping organizations reduce their climate impact.
Eugene F. Carter, Jr., Chief Financial Officer for American Powernet: Gene has more than thirty years of relevant experience including business assurance, for-profit entities and not-for-profit organizations throughout his career. Presently, Gene is the CFO at American PowerNet (APN) in Wyomissing, Pennsylvania where he uses his experience, proficiency, expertise and leadership in accounting, finance and analytics to the general management, compliance and reporting functions at the Company. Gene earned a B.S degree in Accounting from Bloomsburg University. His interests in sustainability have developed over the span of his career while managing mandatory RPS compliance at APN and more recently assisting APN clients with voluntary sustainability initiatives.
Beth Wytiaz, Senior Vice President, Global Environmental Operations Manager, Bank of America: Beth has worked in the environmental space for the past 14 years, with 10 years being at Bank of America. In her current role as the Global Environmental Operations Manager, she is responsible for reducing the bank’s impact on natural resources. This encompasses setting and achieving all public environmental operations goals, including: becoming carbon neutral; purchasing 100% of electricity from renewable sources; reducing waste, water, paper, greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) and energy use; managing e-waste; sourcing paper sustainably; and executing the responsible sourcing program. In addition to this work, she leads the GHG emissions calculations and disclosure efforts.
