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In This Issue: Celebrating 20 Years • International Market Development • International Expansion of Green-e • Green-e Updates • Registration Open for REM 2017 • Starbucks Teams Up With CRS on Buy Clean Energy • Renewable Energy in the Supply Chain • Welcome New Green-e Certifications • Green-e's New Website • Staff Updates
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Celebrating 20 Years of Advancing Sustainable Energy 1997–2017
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This year, Center for Resource Solutions (CRS) celebrates its 20th year. While the important role of clean energy today is rarely challenged, it wasn't always the case.
In the mid-1990's, the long-struggling clean energy industry was at a crossroads. States, including California, were deregulating, allowing consumer choice for the first time. But the burgeoning green power market was disorganized and lacked a vision of how policy reform and market innovation could be tapped to accelerate the growth of renewable energy.
A group of foundation, NGO, and clean-energy market leaders had an answer. They formed Center for Resource Solutions (CRS) in April of 1997 under the leadership of renowned expert Dr. Jan Hamrin to bring confidence to the burgeoning market, and provide oversight and guidance to new providers and programs. Twenty years later, CRS has grown and expanded, working to develop markets and policy solutions worldwide, and continuing to push for sustainable energy development and use.
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On behalf of the staff and board of CRS, we thank you for your ongoing support of CRS, and look forward to continuing our work together in support of clean energy.
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International Market Development
Over the last year, CRS has increased its work internationally to provide technical assistance to governments and local stakeholders on voluntary market design, expand the Green-e certification program beyond North America, facilitate collaboration with key global organizations, and initiate new partnerships. With over two decades of experience in the North American market, CRS is excited to share international best practices and help accelerate new voluntary markets.
Technical Assistance
Through a mixture of government, corporate, and foundation support, CRS is providing expert assistance to help national governments and communities create policy frameworks and market infrastructure to enable credible green power options to residents and businesses. Recent highlights include:
China. Beginning in 2016 with the support of Energy Foundation China, CRS began providing technical training and consultation to Chinese government officials from the National Energy Administration of China, China Renewable Energy Engineering Institute, National Development and Reform Commission, and others to assist with the design and implementation of China's renewable energy certificate system, including tracking system design, reporting, verification, voluntary market policy design and interactions with the future quota system. In March 2017, Executive Director Jennifer Martin spoke in Beijing at the RPS and REC Trading System Seminar & Green Electricity Consumption Organization Launch Ceremony, a high-level meeting of Chinese officials discussing implementation of renewable energy certificates in China.
Taiwan, R.O.C. Funded through a grant last year from Google and supported by the Taiwan Institute of Economic Research (TIER) and Taiwan Research Institute (TRI), CRS has met extensively with local Taiwanese stakeholders to share international best practices as Taiwan initiates new renewable energy procurement options and tracking mechanisms. CRS presented at separate Taiwanese conferences promoting renewable energy and certificate systems. In December, Orrin Cook, Sr. Manager of International Programs, highlighted the importance of voluntary renewable energy markets and certificate systems at the Changhua International Investment Forum. In March, Jennifer Martin spoke on "Growing Voluntary Markets for Renewable Energy" at the International Forum on Renewable Energy Certificate Scheme 2017–System Planning and Experience Sharing Symposium in Taipei, to an audience of market participants, policy makers, academics, and corporate participants. CRS was pleased to see the recent launch of the National Renewable Energy Certification Center on April 21, and looks forward to continuing to support the development of the market.
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International Expansion
of Green-e Certification
Last March we announced our intention to expand the Green-e Energy Standard, which defines program participation rules and requirements, to markets beyond North America.
This expansion is founded on a framework document that serves as a reference document for country- or region-specific Green-e standards. Country or regional standards will be crafted to reflect the policy, regulatory, and market infrastructure present in each location. Green-e has concluded two stakeholder comment periods for the Green-e Energy International Framework Criteria for Renewable Energy Certification (the "Framework"), with the first country-specific standard, Green-e Energy Certification Standard: Singapore, closing its first comment period earlier this year.
Organizing Collaborative International Forums
In December 2016, CRS co-hosted a workshop in Paris with UN Environment, highlighting the "Options and Pathways for Growing Voluntary Markets." This workshop focused on the building blocks of voluntary renewable energy transactions and how best to address local implementation barriers. Speakers and attendees represented CDP, Global Solar Council, IEA, IRENA, RAP, REN21, UNEP, WBCSD, WRI, and others.
CRS is co-organizing a full-day event at the upcoming Clean Energy Ministerial in Beijing, China on June 7th. This event will focus on growing corporate renewable energy commitments as well as highlight recent renewable energy market developments in China.
International Partnerships
Clean Energy Ministerial. CRS was recently accepted as an Organizational Partner for the Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM)'s "Corporate Sourcing of Renewables" Campaign, which has a goal to get more companies to commit to powering their operations with clean energy. Launched in 2010, the CEM is a forum of 23 countries and the European Commission working together to accelerate the global transition to clean energy.
10-Year Framework of Programmes. CRS recently joined the 10-Year Framework of Programmes (10YFP) on Sustainable Consumption and Production, a global framework of action to enhance international cooperation to accelerate the shift towards sustainable consumption and production in both developed and developing countries. CRS is a member of the 10YFP Consumer Information Programme for Sustainable Consumption and Production, which is administered by the United Nations Environment Programme.
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Renewable Energy Markets 2017
October 22–24, 2017
New York City
We are excited to announce that registration is open for Renewable Energy Markets (REM) 2017. Taking place October 22–24, 2017 at the New York Hilton Midtown, REM 2017 will give you indispensible knowledge, insights, and connections you can use to accelerate your business in the coming year. Topics covered include renewable energy policy, market growth and trends, direct procurement, project development and finance, and much more.
Register before June 14 to get our Super Early Bird rate, which gives you 30% (nearly $500) off the week-of rate.
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Green-e Updates
Green-e 3.0
The Green-e Energy National Standard underwent a major update to version 3.0 last fall with changes to many key provisions, including to the long-term supply rules, minimum purchase quantity, tracking system requirements and exceptions, and eligible sources of supply (e.g. food-derived biofuels). To read the new Standard and see the tracked-changes version from the previous version, see Green-e Energy Documents.
Green-e for Carbon Offset Natural Gas
To help customers reduce the environmental impact of their natural gas use, several leading suppliers have begun offering Green-e Climate certified carbon offset natural gas products that bundle offsets together with natural gas, including Blue Spruce Energy Services, Spring Power & Gas, and Kiwi Energy. This is an excellent way for suppliers to differentiate their products while offering a simple, effective way to reduce their customers’ greenhouse gas impact. Learn more at www.green‑e.org/climate, or contact staff at climate@green-e.org or (415) 561-2100.
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Starbucks Teams Up With CRS
on Buy Clean Energy<!--
October 22–24, 2017
New York City-->
Earlier this year, Starbucks teamed up with CRS, offering Starbucks partners (employees) throughout the U.S. a way to learn how to reduce their impact on the planet by switching to renewable energy as part of the company's ongoing environmental initiatives. Through Buy Clean Energy, a website that helps individuals and businesses search for available local green power options, participants can green their electricity at home, and learn about other environmental actions they can take.
To search for Green-e certified green power options by ZIP code, and sign the growing roster of clean energy supporters, visit the website.
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Welcome to Green-e
We would like to welcome new participants in Green-e, and existing participants with new certified products. To learn more about them, visit the Green-e website.
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Green-e Climate
Blue Spruce Energy Services
Bonneville Environmental Foundation
Kiwi Energy
Spring Power & Gas
Green-e Energy
Blue Spruce Energy Services
Champion Energy
CleanPowerSF
Cypress Creek Renewables
DTE Electric
Idaho Power Company
Kiwi Energy
Pine Gate Renewables
Plymouth Rock Energy
San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E)
Spring Power & Gas
Green-e Marketplace
Procter & Gamble
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Green-e's New Look
We recently rolled out a complete overhaul of the Green-e website. More than just a design refresh, the new site is easier to navigate, is optimized for mobile devices, and makes it easier to find what you need. Check it out at www.green-e.org.
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John Aquino
John joined CRS in March 2017 as a CRS Fellow. He recently moved to California from Texas where he was conducting work globally as an environmental consultant primarily in air quality (GHG and acid rain related emissions) and energy optimization. Prior to that he worked as a teacher with the Teach For America program. John plans to pursue a career in the Bay Area consulting in the renewable energy space with an international scope.
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Jillian Forte
Jillian joined CRS in June 2016 as a Green-e Associate. She comes from a multidisciplinary background, with prior experience in nuclear non-proliferation and alternative energy at a small California non-profit, and in political-military analysis at DC-based think tank, focusing on the geopolitics of energy. Jillian recently graduated with her Master’s of Public Administration, and holds a M.Sc. in Global Technology and Development as well as a B.A. in International Relations. Jillian hopes to apply her knowledge of evidence-based policy making to advance sustainable energy practices in developing economies.
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Masoud Foudeh
Masoud volunteered with CRS from August–December 2016. He came with 15 years’ experience working at different Silicon Valley companies, the last 13 years as a principal Program Manager for Xbox hardware at Microsoft. Masoud is transitioning to work in environmental non-profits, and is currently working towards his MBA in Sustainable Management at Presidio Graduate School in San Francisco.
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Genevieve Resnick
Genevieve joined CRS as a Marketing Review Compliance Associate in February 2017, after graduating from Tulane University in New Orleans, LA. She holds a BS in Environmental Biology and a business minor, and plans to return to school for her MBA. In addition to working at CRS, Genevieve is interning with Grid Alternatives, a nonprofit solar installer for low income families. Genevieve is responsible for Solar Futures, an energy-focused educational program for K–12 students.
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Susanne Strimling
Susanne joined CRS in September 2016 as an Office Manager. Experienced in project management, Susanne has developed interdisciplinary collaborations with California universities. She has ensured project funding by securing partnerships with companies including; Virgin Atlantic Airways, Mitsubishi Electronics, Iomega, and NCH Software. Susanne initiated an innovative, digital art project which encompassed sharing content with leading contemporary art foundations and museums.
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