The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), the Alliance for Clean Energy New York (ACENY) and the city of New York have joined together as a force in order to keep the renewable energy ball rolling. Through three simple steps on a website called Green Power NYC, Renewable Energy Certificates are now available to New York residents.

Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs), also known as Green tags, Renewable Energy Credits, or Tradable Renewable Certificates (TRCs), are non-tangible yet tradable energy commodities in the United States representing 1 megawatt-hour (MWh) of electricity that was generated from an eligible renewable energy resource.

Certificates are sold and traded or bartered through programs such as this initiative in New York. Through this process, the owner of the REC can claim to have purchased renewable energy.

There are two markets for these certificates; compliance and voluntary. Compliance markets are centered around the output ratio of electric companies. Voluntary markets, which apply to this new initiative, function through the consumer purchase of renewable power out of a desire to go green.

For now, the website offers certificates in wind energy or a mix of wind and hydroelectric. Currently there are only two electricity providers people can choose from on the website, Community Energy (Conedison Solutions) and Sterling Planet.

The website works through the non-profit organization Green-e, which is an authorized verifier of RECs and has certified more than 65 separate REC providers that can provide energy to New York residents.

The cost for consumers who decide to go green is 1 cent to 2.5 cents per kWh, which is automatically added to their electricity bill or billed to their credit card. In return, they get renewable energy credits tied directly to the green energy produced by participating companies.

In addition to individuals, small businesses using less than 10,000 kWh per month or approximately 100,000 kWh per year can buy RECs though Green Power NYC. 

Until next time,

—Emily