Government Newspaper.
Your Source for Daily Government News, Information and Research
Green Power - Green Energy - Solar Energy - Wind Energy - Markets
Green Power Network - RSS Feed
The Green Power Network (GPN) provides news and information on green power markets and related activities. The site provides up-to-date information on green power providers, product offerings, consumer protection issues, and policies affecting green power markets.
Voluntary RE Market Will Reduce Emissions under RGGI
Under the rules set up by states participating in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), voluntary renewable energy purchases may count towards the emission reduction aims of the program. The first mandatory carbon dioxide (CO2) cap-and-trade program to be implemented in the U.S. and scheduled to commence in January 2009, RGGI covers the electric power generation sector in 10 states in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions of the U.S. Under the program, CO2 emissions from power plants in the ten-state region will be capped and then reduced to 10% below 2009 levels, by 2018.
Each participating state has a proportional share of the regional emissions cap. Based on its CO2 emissions budget, each state will issue CO2 allowances to emitting power plants. Each CO2 allowance represents a permit to emit one ton of CO2. The states will sell all or a portion of their CO2 allowances via periodic auctions, beginning with pre-compliance auctions in September and December of 2008. Proceeds from the sale of allowances will fund state programs that promote energy efficiency and projects for renewable energy.
Renewable energy generation sources typically do not emit CO2 (or emit significantly less than fossil fuel generation sources). Without an emissions cap, renewable energy generation displaces fossil generation on the margin, resulting in a reduction of carbon emissions. However, where CO2 emissions are capped and the number of allowances is fixed and distributed only to emitting sources, renewable energy purchasers cannot claim CO2 emissions reductions, because their purchases do not reduce the number of allowances in circulation. Instead, their purchases simply free up more allowances that emitters can trade. Only the retirement of allowances, or a reduction in the number issued, reduces overall CO2 emissions levels. Purchasers’ inability to make claims ...
Dell Significantly Increases Renewable Energy Purchase
Computer manufacturer Dell Inc. has announced a series of programs to offset the company’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by the end of 2008, including a significant increase in its renewable energy purchase and energy efficiency initiatives. Dell’s U.S. renewable energy purchase, from wind, solar, and biogas sources, is about 554 million kWh per year, or about 158% of the company’s U.S. electricity use. The 2008 increase in the size of Dell’s renewable energy purchase, from about 12 million kWh in 2004 and about 116 million kWh as recently as July, 2008, represents the largest such increase in the U.S. for the year to date, by a wide margin. The purchase was made under agreements with several regional and national REC marketers and renewable energy programs throughout the U.S.
Dell is now the fourth largest renewable energy purchaser in the U.S. and the only new entrant among the top ten, according to the Environmental Protection Agency’s Green Power Partnership program. Among its other sustainability initiatives, Dell offers an energy efficient "hybrid" desktop computer, partners with Conservation International and other environmental groups on habitat, forest preservation, and tree-planting initiatives, and requires its primary suppliers to report CO2 emissions data during quarterly business reviews, as part of the Carbon Disclosure Project’s Supply Chain Leadership Coalition.
News Release -
Industry Gains, Challenges Explored at RE Marketing Conference
Impacts of potential federal legislation were among the themes discussed at the National Renewable Energy Marketing Conference, which took place October 27-29, 2008 in Denver, Colorado. The annual conference brings together representatives from renewable energy marketing companies, utilities, renewable energy end users, and government agencies for discussions on market trends and challenges. This year’s conference, with more than 400 industry leaders in attendance, featured sessions on the treatment of renewable energy in climate change policies — both regional policies that are in the process of being implemented, as well as potential federal legislation. The main sponsors for the conference are the Center for Resource Soutions, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the U.S. Department of Energy.
Other notable session topics at the conference included an update on the state of the voluntary renewable energy market and its role in supporting U.S. renewable energy project development. The voluntary market tripled in size from 2004 to 2007, to 18.1 billion kWh, fully three-quarters of which was attributable to businesses and other large institutional buyers. There were also discussions about the termination of Florida Power & Light’s Sunshine Energy green pricing program and its potential implications for the public perception of the industry. The conference also featured discussions about mechanisms to support increased U.S. energy efficiency and distributed energy generation strategies. Finally, the conference was also an occasion to celebrate industry success ...
Green-e Releases 2007 Verification Report
The Center for Resource Solutions, which manages the Green-e Energy certification program, released it annual verification report, detailing certified voluntary renewable energy sales for 2007. According to the report, total sales of Green-e Energy certified renewable energy reached nearly 15.7 million megawatt-hours (MWh) in 2007, an increase of nearly 60% over 2006. This includes 13.8 million MWh of certified renewable energy certificates (RECs), which grew at a similar rate.
At the end of 2007, 49 REC marketers and brokers, 122 utilities and electricity distributors, and 12 energy service providers were participating in the program and offering Green-e Energy certified products to residential or commercial customers. Nearly 260,000 residential customers and over 10,000 commercial customers across the U.S. and Canada had purchased Green-e certified renewable energy during the year.
The Green-e Marketplace program also grew in 2007, with 55 companies participating and collectively purchasing 2.7 million MWh. The Green-e Marketplace program works with organizations seeking to purchase Green-e certified renewable energy and helps them promote their purchase. The program licenses the Green-e logo for use on purchasers’ web sites, marketing materials, and manufactured goods.
Full Report - 2007 Green-e Energy Verification Report (PDF 880 KB)
Diverse Green Strategy at Kohl’s Features RE Purchase
Kohl’s Department Stores implements a diverse strategy for its U.S. operations, known as the "Kohl’s Green Scene." The strategy includes an annual renewable energy purchase of approximately 236 million kWh, making the retailer the 15th largest U.S. renewable energy purchaser, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s Green Power Partnership program. In recognition of the purchase and Kohl’s other green initiatives, Kohl’s received an EPA Green Power Leadership award at the 2008 Renewable Energy Marketing Conference.
The purchase of RECs from various renewable energy sources represents about 20% of the company’s U.S. electricity use. Kohl’s REC suppliers include the City of Dover, Neuwing Energy Ventures, the Sacramento Municipal Utility District, Sterling Planet, and WM Renewable Energy.
Kohl’s other green initiatives feature on-site solar-powered energy generation either installed or planned for 130 stores in six states, with over 100 stores currently earning the EPA’s Energy Star label for superior energy efficiency and environmental performance. In addition, a total of 45 ...
Green Power Leadership Awards Announced
Twenty-five companies, organizations and individuals were recognized with national achievement awards at the 2008 National Renewable Energy Marketing Conference in Denver. The Green Power Leadership Awards recognize actions that are significantly advancing the development of renewable electricity sources through renewable energy markets. The awards are presented by the U.S. Department of Energy, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the Center for Resource Solutions.
Among green power purchasers, the highest honors went to the Community of Bellingham, Washington, Cisco Systems, Intel Corporation, University of Pennsylvania, and WhiteWave Foods Company, who were named Partner of the Year. The City of Palo Alto Utilities, 3Degrees Inc., and Sterling Planet were Suppliers of the Year and AmerenUE won for New Green Power Program. Dr. Jan Hamrin, founder of the Center for Resource Solutions, received the Green Power Pioneer Award.
News Release - Utility Suppliers Earn Nation’s Top Honors for Green Power Efforts ...
Esurance Announces Wind Purchase
North Face Goes Green with Renewables
Hosting.com a “Green Energy Champion”
Santa Clara Univ. Expands RE Purchase
New Green Pricing Programs in West Virginia
TECO Introduces Green Event Product
DU Buys Wind Certificates
Georgia Power Gains Approval to Expand Green Pricing Options
Georgia Power, the largest subsidiary of Southern Company serving 2.3 million customers in Georgia, has gained approval from the Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC) to expand its green pricing program to include additional options for customers. The re-design is intended to provide a more cost-effective option for both residential and commercial customers.
Under the re–vamped program, residential customers can now purchase green power in 100-kWh increments at 3.5¢/kWh above the standard rate, which is 1¢/kWh less than the previous offering. The modified Green Energy product will be all biomass, primarily from the Seminole Landfill in DeKalb County, and will contain no solar or wind energy at this time. In addition, customers now have the option to purchase a "premium" renewable energy product that includes at least 2% solar power. The price for the premium product is 4.5¢/kWh above the standard rate.
The redesigned program also includes a large volume discount available to customers that buy more than 40,000 kWh of green energy per month at the regular price of 3.5¢/kWh over the standard rate. Georgia Power will contract individually with each customer to determine the price, quantity, term and source of the additional green energy. The program now also includes a special events option for supplying renewable energy to music concerts, business conferences, or other one-time events. The new program is expected to go into effect by the end of 2008.
News Release - PSC Approves Revamped Georgia Power Green Energy Program; Assignment of 3-1-1 Service to Cobb County for Non-emergency Government Services ...
Kentucky Power Receives Green Pricing Approval