CRS RELEASES 2008 GREEN-E VERIFICATION REPORT, SHOWS 45% INCREASE IN CERTIFIED RENEWABLE ENERGY SALES

Over 13 Million MWh of certified renewable energy purchased by over 500,000 residential and 20,000 commercial customers in 2008

CONTACT
Jeff Swenerton
CRS Communications Director
415-561-2119
jeff@resource-solutions.org

SAN FRANCISCO (September 24, 2009) — Center for Resource Solutions (CRS) announced today the release of the 2008 Green-e^® Verification Report, which highlights Green-e Certified renewable energy and carbon offset sales in 2008, as well as organizations that participated in Green-e Marketplace to demonstrate their commitment to renewable energy. The report shows a 45 percent increase in total Green-e Energy sales volume over the previous year, equivalent to over 13 million MWh of renewable energy generation. This represented over half of all retail renewable energy sales in the voluntary market in 2008.

Over 2.9 million MWh were purchased or generated by companies participating in Green-e Marketplace, a significant improvement over 2007 purchases and a trend that shows renewable energy continues to be an important part of organizations’ and businesses’ social-responsibility goals.

The report also shows data on sales certified by Green-e Climate, a consumer-protection program for carbon offsets that launched in February 2008. By the end of the first year, eight participants offered a total of 14 certified products from a variety of project types including renewable energy and methane destruction, for a total of 136,000 unique tons of CO₂-equivalent sold in 2008.

Utility participation in Green-e Energy grew significantly in 2008, with certified utility green-pricing sales reaching nearly 2.2 million MWh, an 80% increase from 2007. This reflects a rise in certified residential and commercial purchases. Over 450,000 customers participated in green-pricing programs, with residential purchases increasing 69% over 2007. Commercial purchases were up over 100% in the same period.

“The growth in sales of Green-e Energy Certified renewable energy and RECs continued at a very healthy pace during 2008, despite the beginnings of the economic downturn we are still experiencing,” said CRS Executive Director Arthur O’Donnell. “With large businesses taking the lead in pushing record levels of demand for renewable energy, we are pleased that these sophisticated purchasers express a clear preference for clean power that has met the rigorous Green-e standards. And we welcome the constant entry of new participants in our Marketplace program. These businesses, large and small, proudly employ Green-e as a symbol of their corporate commitments to sustainable energy and a better environment.”

Additionally, O’Donnell said, “the deepening penetration of utility green power programs that rely on Green-e certification is a healthy indicator that households all across America are exercising their ability to choose renewable energy and help lead the way to a new energy economy.”

Green-e is the nation’s leading independent certification program for renewable energy and carbon offset products sold to consumers and businesses. It provides third party verification to ensure environmental products meet strict standards set through a collaborative stakeholder-review process with environmentalists, consumer advocates, and energy experts. Providers of certified products undergo an annual verification audit to document that their supply meets their sales in quantity and type. The 2008 verification results represent renewable energy and carbon offset sales from marketers, utilities, distributors, and electric service providers.

Highlights of the 2008 Green-e Verification Report include:

• Total retail sales of Green-e Energy Certified renewable energy exceeded 13 million MWh, an increase of 45% from 2007.
• Over 500,000 residential customers and more than 20,000 commercial customers across the U.S. and Canada purchased Green-e Energy Certified renewable energy, increases of 94% and 97%, respectively.
• Over half of the renewable energy sold retail in the voluntary market was Green-e Energy Certified.
• Sales of certified renewable energy certificates reached 10.5 million MWh, a 43% increase from 2007.
• Renewable energy purchases and onsite generation by Green-e Marketplace participants reached a record level of 2.9 million MWh.
• Green-e Climate certified offset sales of 136,000 unique tons of CO₂-equivalent

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 (carbon offset) certification program; and Green-e Marketplace, 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
Center for Resource Solutions (CRS) is a national nonprofit with global impact. CRS brings forth expert responses to climate change issues with the speed and effectiveness necessary to provide real-time solutions. Its leadership through collaboration and environmental innovation builds policies and consumer-protection mechanisms in renewable energy, greenhouse gas reductions, and energy efficiency that foster healthy and sustained growth in national and international markets. For more information about its programs, including Green-e, visit www.resource-solutions.org and www.green-e.org.

 

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©2009 Center for Resource Solutions. For more information, see us at www.resource-solutions.org or call 415-561-2100.