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 obtained 7.377 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of Green-e certified RECs to supplement onsite renewable generation in FY 2021.

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 Pacific Ecological Systems Division Laboratory in Corvallis, Oregon, for example, purchases delivered wind power through Pacific Power’s Blue Sky program.