2022 Green Power Leadership Award Winners
We would like to congratulate the winners of the 2022 Green Power Leadership Awards (GPLAs). The winners were announced on September 15, 2022 during the annual Renewable Energy Markets 2022 conference (read the release).
2022 Green Power Leadership Awards: Winner Video from Center for Resource Solutions.
Center for Resource Solutions presented the 2022 Green Power Leadership Awards on September 15, 2022, awarding seven organizations and one individual for their roles in promoting and expanding the use of clean, renewable energy. The awards were presented during the Renewable Energy Markets 2022 conference in Minneapolis in the categories of Market Development, International Market Development, Leadership in Education, and Leader of the Year.
“We’re proud to present awards to this year’s winners, who together represent a new focus on diversity and increasing energy access to underserved communities,” said Jennifer Martin, executive director of CRS, which co-presents the annual awards with the U.S. EPA. “By working toward increasing equity in the transition to clean energy, these year’s winners demonstrate that the opportunities and economic advantages of the clean energy revolution will benefit everyone.”
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) also awarded Green Power Leadership Awards to three winners. More information about U.S. EPA’s awards is available at the U.S. EPA’s Green Power Leadership Awards page.
Center for Resource Solutions Awards
MARKET DEVELOPMENT
East Bay Community Energy
As one of the largest and most innovative CCAs in the country, EBCE has led the procurement of thousands of megawatts of new clean energy projects, including a new 57.5-megawatt wind farm, and the development of innovative grid edge programs. Today, EBCE is disrupting the utility model, providing renewable energy at competitive rates and reinvesting earnings back into the community to create local green jobs, community-centered programs, clean power projects, and local EV charging infrastructure.
Puget Sound Energy (PSE)
In 2021, PSE launched its Community Solar program, where participants subscribe to local solar shares and receive a bill credit for energy generated. The program expands access to clean energy regardless of income, with an economically inclusive design and equity-focused marketing approach that makes PSE’s program unique. Its approach utilizes alternative funding mechanisms, including state dollars, to bridge the gap and take the program from a premium product to a savings product for income-eligible customers. Today, 30% of all shares open for subscription are reserved for income-eligible customers.
RPE, LLC
RPE, LLC, sources, sells, and distributes 15% of the fresh potatoes consumed in the United States, and is the #1 marketer of domestic fresh potatoes, growing 1.2 billion pounds annually. Committed to building a more sustainable food system, RPE is using 100% renewable energy in its operations, and is the only produce entity in North America whose clean energy practices and claims are verified by Green-e, the independent global leader in renewable energy certification. RPE also educates its grower-partners and customers about how RECs encourage the generation of more renewable energy while helping businesses meet greenhouse gas emission goals.
T-Mobile
In 2018, T-Mobile was the first and only U.S. wireless provider to create an ambitious plan to source 100% of its total electricity usage with renewable energy by the end of 2021. Four years later, it is the first wireless provider to achieve this ambitious goal, accelerating from less than 10 percent renewables in 2018 to 100% in just four years. To accomplish this, the energy team developed and secured a diverse portfolio of projects including energy conservation measures, virtual power purchase agreements, retail agreements, green tariff programs, unbundled RECs, and RECs delivered through an optimized multi-market community solar commitment.
INTERNATIONAL MARKET DEVELOPMENT
The International REC Standard
The International REC Standard is an important global standard for ensuring high quality, credible REC markets. Its fact-based measurement and verification for issuing and tracking certificates ensures a level of market integrity worldwide, including in Asia, South America, Africa, and the Middle East. This design allows multinational companies and renewable energy producers to request I-RECs be issued in countries that lack critical market infrastructure that supports certificate tracking and retirements, leading to broader global investment in renewable energy development.
LEADERSHIP IN EDUCATION
Silicon Valley Clean Energy
Launched in October 2020, the Silicon Valley Clean Energy eHub is an online resource and tool designed to educate customers about their green power use. The program is designed to raise awareness of the benefits of electrification and clean energy for SVCE customers and give them the tools to take action. eHub also provides opportunities for customers to get hands-on education through an online educational marketplace for all-electric, efficient products. Through these innovative educational resources geared to inspire, educate, and help customers take action, eHub has been an effective tool to boost public interest in clean, renewable energy.
LEADER OF THE YEAR
Kristen Graf
Kristen Graf is the executive director of Women of Renewable Industries and Sustainable Energy (WRISE), a national nonprofit organization working across the renewable energy economy with a broad purpose – to accelerate the transition to a sustainable and equitable energy future by igniting the collective power of community. Kristen is a tireless advocate for racial equity and justice, and has championed WRISE’s Envision series, which promotes women of color and systematically excluded communities in renewable energy. Kristen also supports emerging talent by offering fellowships to college students as well as women training to be installers and technicians. By fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion, Kristen is helping the renewable energy industry get the tools it needs to recruit, retain, and advance women in renewable energy.
U.S. EPA Awards
Bimbo Bakeries USA, Google, and T-Mobile
Releases
Announcing the 2022 Green Power Leadership Award Winners (News Release)
Learn More About Applying for a 2023 Green Power Leadership Award
For more information about the EPA Awards, visit www.epa.gov/greenpower/green-power-leadership-awards or contact Bailey Rosen at Rosen.Bailey@epa.gov.
No endorsement by the EPA is intended or implied.
