CRS Releases 2009 Green-E Verification Report, Shows 43% Increase In Certified Renewable Energy Sales

(3BLMedia/theCRSfeed) SAN FRANCISCO, CA - October 29, 2010 - Center for Resource Solutions (CRS) announced today the release of the 2009 Green-e^® Verification Report, which highlights Green-e Certified renewable energy and carbon offset sales in 2009, as well as organizations that participated in Green-e Marketplace to demonstrate their commitment to renewable energy. The report shows a 43 percent increase in total Green-e Energy sales volume over the previous year, equivalent to over 18 million MWh of renewable energy generation. According to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Green-e Energy certified 62% of all voluntary market retail sales in the U.S.

Over 402,000 MWh were purchased or generated by companies participating in Green-e Marketplace, continuing a trend showing that renewable energy continues to be an important part of many organizations' environmental-responsibility goals.

The report also shows data on carbon offset sales certified by Green-e Climate, a certification and consumer-protection program for retail carbon offsets that is the only program of its kind in the international voluntary carbon market. In its second year the program's 10 participants offered a total of 16 certified products from a variety of project types including renewable energy and methane destruction, with more than 176,000 unique tons of CO2-equivalent sold in 2009, a nearly 30% increase over the previous year, and beating the overall retail carbon-offset market, which saw significant decline.

The report shows that utility participation in Green-e Energy grew significantly in 2009, with certified utility green-pricing sales reaching over 2.5 million MWh, an 18% increase from 2008. This reflects a rise in certified residential and commercial purchases. Over 487,000 customers participated in green-pricing programs, with commercial purchases from over 18,000 customers increasing 33% over 2008. Residential purchases were up 10% in the same period.

"Consumers and businesses continue to make buying clean energy a priority, despite a challenging year for many," said CRS Executive Director Arthur O’Donnell. "The growth in Green-e certified sales reflects that of the larger market, which showed double-digit increases once again, led by commercial customers who understand the benefits of renewable energy and certified carbon offsets in reducing their environmental footprint. Nearly three-quarters of the voluntary renewable market is certified by Green-e Energy, a reflection of these customers' clear preference for third-party certification. And through Green-e Marketplace, more companies than ever are proudly displaying the Green-e logo to show their commitment and help inspire others to turn to clean energy."

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 2009 verification results represent renewable energy and carbon offset sales from marketers, utilities, distributors, and electric service providers.

Highlights of the 2009 Green-e Verification Report include:

• Total retail sales of Green-e Energy Certified renewable energy exceeded 18 million MWh, an increase of 43% from 2008

• Over 545,000 residential customers and more than 37,000 commercial customers across the U.S. and Canada purchased Green-e Energy Certified renewable energy, increases of 9% and 85%, respectively

• Green-e Energy Certified retail products avoided over 9.4 million metric tons of CO₂ emissions that would have been produced by an equivalent amount of average system power

• Renewable energy purchases and onsite generation by Green-e Marketplace participants totaled over 402,000 MWh

• Sales of Green-e Climate Certified carbon offsets in 2009 resulted in over 176,000 metric tons CO2-equivalent reduced, a nearly 30% increase from 2008

 

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.   CRS10020