SAN FRANCISCO, CA (January 20, 2005)- The Center for Resource Solutions (CRS) today announced the release of the 2003 Verification Report, revealing an 82% increase in total volume of Green-e certified energy sales over the previous year. This report, featuring results from the Green-e Program's annual verification process, also shows positive growth in total customers, renewable energy supply, and resulting pollution reduction due to certified renewable energy in 2003.
"The sharp increase in the total volume of certified renewable energy sales is a positive sign that green power markets can succeed despite market barriers," said Jan Hamrin, CRS Executive Director. "With sales of renewables increasing significantly each year, our independent verification process is a vital confirmation that voluntary markets for renewable energy do work, and contribute to strengthened commitments to renewable energy generation and supply."
Both the Green-e utility green pricing and competitive TRC markets increased in customers and sales volume in 2003 compared to previous years. Certified tradable renewable certificate (TRC) sales grew exponentially, with over 1.8 million MWh of renewables purchased as certificates -a twelve-fold increase over 2002. The 2003 Verification Report also shows that utility sales of certified renewable electricity grew 12% in 2003.
Green-e is the nation's leading certification and verification program for renewable energy. Green-e provides independent, third party assurance that renewable energy products bearing the Green-e Logo meet strict environmental and consumer protection standards set through a collaborative process with environmentalists, consumer advocates and energy experts. Green-e's annual verification process is an integral part of the Program's goal to build consumer confidence in renewable-based electricity products and spur demand.
The data in the 2003 Verification Report represent renewable energy sales for 102 marketers selling 65 Green-e certified products in 2003. Of these products, 37 were electricity products, 23 were TRC products and 5 were green pricing products. Other highlights of the 2003 Verification Report include:
- Green-e renewable electricity sales increased 76 percent in 2003 over 2002, for a total of over 2.9 million MWh.
- In 2003, the proportion of large non-residential purchases increased to more than half of retail sales volume, compared to less than a quarter in 2002.
- 88% of Green-e renewable sales were from new renewables.
- 67% of the Green-e renewable supply was from wind resources, 21% from biomass and the rest from small hydro and solar.
- Forty-one percent of non-utility green power retail sales in the U.S. were certified by Green-e in 2003.
Collectively the sales of Green-e certified renewable energy resulted in a pollution benefit of 2,127,900 tons of avoided carbon dioxide (CO2), a major contributor to global warming. One hundred marketers and utilities throughout North America now offer Green-e certified renewable energy products. Providers of Green-e certified renewable energy agree to abide by the Green-e Code of Conduct, and to submit marketing materials to CRS to meet Green-e disclosure and truth-in-advertising requirements.
Copies of the final 2003 Green-e Verification Report are available on the Green-e website, www.green-e.org, on the Verification Results page.
About Green-e Renewable Energy Certification Program
Launched in 1997, The Green-e Renewable Energy Certification Program is the leading voluntary certification and verification program that sets standards for renewable electricity-based products in three markets for renewable energy: restructured, regulated, and tradable renewable certificates (TRCs) Nationally, Green-e currently certifies renewable energy products sold by 100 marketers and utilities. To learn more about available certified products visit www.green-e.org, or call 888.63.GREEN.
About the Center for Resource Solutions
Green-e is a program of the Center for Resource Solutions (CRS), a national nonprofit organization that makes it easier for people and organizations to use renewable energy. CRS designs and operates national and international programs that support the increased supply and use of renewable energy resources such as wind, solar, biomass, geothermal and low-impact hydroelectric power. To learn more about CRS, visit: www.resource-solutions.org.
###
