Currents

An Energy Newsletter for Local Governments

Guide to Purchasing Green Power

US DOE's Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy program has developed a guide to purchasing renewable energy, renewable energy certificates and on-site generation in conjunction with USEPA's Green Power Partnership, The World Resources Institute's Sustainable Enterprise Program and the Center for Resource Solution's Green-e Renewable Energy Certification Program.

The Guide to Purchasing Green Power is intended for organizations that are considering the merits of buying green power as well as those that have decided to buy it and want help doing so. The Guide was written for a broad audience, including businesses, government agencies, universities, and other organizations wanting to diversify their energy supply and reduce the environmental impact of their electricity use.

The Guide provides an overview of green power markets and describes the necessary steps to buying green power. It includes an overview of renewable energy and how it differs from traditional energy; defines three types of green power products; summarizes the benefits and costs of purchasing green power; outlines the general steps to prepare to buy green power; discusses the steps to procure renewable electricity or renewable energy certificate; describes the steps to establish an on-site renewable energy system; and explores ways of taking advantage of promotional opportunities after purchasing green power.

The Guide provides a list of resources offering more information about all aspects of green power. Its appendix discusses considerations specific to federal agencies that buy green power.

The Guide can be downloaded at any of the following sites:

• U.S. DOE Purchasing Renewable Power Page
  (www.eere.energy.gov/femp/technologies/renewable_purchasepower.cfm)
• U.S. EPA Buy Green Power Page
  (www.epa.gov/greenpower/buygreenpower/index.htm)
• World Resources Institute Corporate Guide to Green Power Markets
  (www.thegreenpowergroup.org/publications.html)
• Center for Resource Solutions
  (www.resource-solutions.org)

| Back | Next |