HomeMy WebLinkAbout9 Green Renewable Energy Credits Agenda Item #
KEE DONNER
PUbhc Utility District
Workshop
To: Board of Directors
From: Kathleen Neus, Technical Program Administrator
Date: January 3, 2008
Subject: Voluntary Green Renewable Energy Credits Program
1. WHY THIS MATTER IS BEFORE THE BOARD
This is an informational discussion of voluntary Green Renewable Energy Credits Programs.
Objectives:
5. Manage the District in an environmentally sound manner.
Goals:
5.2 District will strengthen its programs of water and electric power conservation.
5.4 District will conduct its business in an environmentally lawful manner.
5.6 District will seek to minimize any negative impact of its operations on the
environment.
2. HISTORY
In an effort to help District customers, residential and commercial to reduce their individual
environmental impact, I have been looking into voluntary Green Renewable Energy Credits
Programs. Green power or "renewable energy" is considered energy that is generated from
resources that have relatively low impact on the health of humans, animals and the ecosystem;
these resources contribute minimal carbon dioxide emissions if any. Renewable energy
sources are wind, PV, landfill gas, biomass, geothermal and hydro.
Green Renewable Energy Credits Programs are voluntary in nature; the generated green power
is not necessarily fed back into the purchaser's power grid.
One Renewable Energy Credits (RECs), "Green Tag" is equal to 1000 kWh of clean renewable
energy. 1000 kWh of renewable energy is the equivalent of offsetting 1500 miles of emissions
from a standard car.
3. NEW INFORMATION
Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) also called "Green Tags"; represent the environmental
benefits that occur when clean, new renewable energy is substituted for power that is produced
by burning fossil fuel. Revenues that are generated through Green Tag purchases are
reinvested in new forms of renewable energy.
In order for RECs to remain unique and individual, RECs should be Green-e Certified. The
nonprofit Center for Resources (CRS) has developed and implemented consumer-protection
standards for the voluntary renewable energy market through the Green-e program. Green-e
Energy is the nation's leading independent certification and verification program for renewable
energy.
Voluntary Green Renewable Energy Credits Program is a relatively simple program in concept.
It is necessary to have a REC Marketer to purchase the RECs from; the marketer will need to
give the District of an accounting of the number of Green Tags purchased and the certification
proving that the purchased Green Tags are new. Additionally there are other pieces of the
program that need final input; how do individuals and businesses sign-up, how to keep track of
participants, how to bill the same and a marketing program.
I have been looking closely at Bonneville Environmental Foundation (BEF). BEF began as a
support to the Bonneville Power Administration for watershed restoration programs and to
develop new sources of renewable energy. BEF is a 501(c) (3) non-profit environmental
organization. In 2000 BEF developed its Green Tags product due to the demand for renewable
energy in places where utilities did not have the option. All revenues generated from the sale of
Green Tags are reinvested in new forms of renewable energy.
The Conservation Committee was correct in the statement that there is no cost to the budget to
implement a voluntary Green Renewable Energy Credits Program but in reality in order to have
a successful program money needs to be spent on marketing the program. So at some point if
a Green Renewable Energy Credits Program is approved there will be a need to find the money
to fund a marketing program.
At the end of the staff report is a table depicting what some of the local NCPA members are
offering their residential and commercial customers.
4. RECOMMENDATION
I have spent a lot of time researching different Green Tag Retailers; I am requesting Board
direction to continue to pursue a voluntary Green Renewable Energy Credits Program with
Bonneville Environmental Foundation. The estimated cost to the consumer is $0.015 per kWh
per month.
neral Services oh Ulrich, Interim GM
Some local NCPA members and what they offer their customers:
Utility Program Name Type of Cost Inception Date
Generation
City of Palo Alto Palo Alto Green Wind, PV $0.015/ kWh / Month- Res 2000/2003
$0.015/ kWh / Month or$15.00 per
1000kWh blocks
Roseville Electric Green Roseville Wind, PV $0.015/ kWh / Month- Res & Small 2005
Com
SMUD Greenergy Wind, landfill gas, 100% - $6.00/ Month 1997
hydro, PV 50% - $3.00/month
SolarShares PV 2007
Silicone Valley Santa Clara Green Wind, PV 100% - $15.00/ Month 2004
Power Power
Silicone Valley Power—Large Commercial and Industrial customers can purchase Green Tags in 1000 kWh blocks for$15.00 per block.
City of Palo Alto—Business Operators depending on usage can choose$0.015 per kWh per month or pay$15.00 per 1000 kWh blocks.
Roseville Electric—Residential and Small commercial $0.015 per kWh or$15.00 per month for 100%energy usage.
Large Businesses pay$15.00 per 1000 kWh blocks.
SKIGreen (Bonneville Environmental Foundation) ski resorts participating in clean energy initiatives. When purchasing a lift ticket, the
individual can request a two dollar contribution towards wind energy which is added to the cost of the lift ticket. Local participating Ski
Resorts include Alpine Meadows, Kirkwood, Mt. Rose and Northstar-at-Tahoe.
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