Green Power Purchases at EPA
EPA purchases much of its green power in the form of renewable energy certificates (RECs). Each REC represents a specific amount of electricity produced and delivered to the power grid by a renewable resource such as wind or solar power. RECs allow a purchaser to claim that its electricity comes from renewable sources with low or zero greenhouse gas emissions. Learn more about RECs on EPA’s Green Power Partnership page or view the video at right.
EPA's Blanket Green Power Contracts
EPA purchases RECs to meet federal requirements for reducing GHG emissions and to support the clean and renewable energy market. EPA currently obtains RECs through blanket purchases coordinated by Defense Logistics Agency Energy. These contracts support renewable energy generation from wind, landfill gas and biomass resources. These purchases are augmented by several smaller green power and REC purchases associated with individual EPA facilities.
Delivered Green Power
Green power can also be purchased from an off-site provider (such as a utility company) that is connected to the same regional power pool as the purchaser. The Western Ecology Division Laboratory in Corvallis, Oregon, for example, purchases delivered wind power through Pacific Power’s Blue Sky program.