2010 Green-e Verification Report Shows 23% Increase in Certified Renewable Energy Sales

(3BL Media / theCSRFeed) San Francisco, CA — November 30, 2011 — Center for Resource Solutions (CRS) announced today the release of the 2010 Green-e® Verification Report, which highlights Green-e Certified renewable energy and carbon offset sales in 2010, as well as organizations that participated in Green-e Marketplace to demonstrate their commitment to renewable energy. The report shows a 23 percent increase in total Green-e Energy retail sales volume over the previous year, equivalent to over 23 million MWh of renewable energy generation. According to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Green-e Energy certified 65% of all voluntary market retail sales in the U.S.

Over 393,000 MWh were purchased or generated by companies participating in Green-e Marketplace, continuing a trend showing that renewable energy continues to be an important part of many organizations' environmental-responsibility goals.

The report also shows data on carbon offset sales certified by Green-e Climate, a certification and consumer-protection program for retail carbon offsets that is the only program of its kind in the international voluntary carbon market. In 2010, Green-e Climate's third year of operation, the program's nine participants offered a total of 19 certified offset products from a variety of project types including renewable energy and methane destruction, with more than 202,897 unique tons of CO2-equivalent sold in 2010—a nearly 15% increase over the previous year. Green-e Climate Certified sales have experienced double-digit growth in each of the two years since its launch.

The report shows that utility participation in Green-e Energy grew modestly in 2010, with certified utility green-pricing sales reaching over 2.6 million MWh, a 4% increase from 2009. This overall increase in certified residential and commercial purchases comes from over 453,900 residential customers participating in green-pricing programs, and commercial purchases from over 18,000 customers.

Highlights of the 2010 Green-e Verification Report include:

• Total retail sales of Green-e Energy Certified renewable energy exceeded 23 million MWh, an increase of 23% from 2009

• Over 583,000 residential customers and more than 66,000 commercial customers across the U.S. and Canada purchased Green-e Energy Certified renewable energy, increases of 7% and 77%, respectively

• Green-e Energy certified 65% of all retail sales in the voluntary market in 2010, according to data from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory

• Renewable energy purchases and onsite generation by Green-e Marketplace participants totaled over 393,000 MWh

• Sales of Green-e Climate Certified carbon offsets in 2010 resulted in over 202,000 metric tons CO2-equivalent reduced, a nearly 15% increase from 2009

Green-e provides third-party verification to ensure environmental products meet strict standards set through a collaborative stakeholder-review process with environmentalists, consumer advocates, and energy experts. Providers of certified products undergo an annual verification audit to document that their supply meets their sales in quantity and type. The 2010 verification results represent renewable energy and carbon offset sales from marketers, utilities, distributors, and electric service providers.

Download the 2010 Green-e Verification Report

About Green-e
Green-e is the nation's leading independent consumer protection program for the sale of renewable energy and greenhouse gas reductions in the retail market. Green-e offers certification and verification of renewable energy and greenhouse gas mitigation products through Green-e Energy, a renewable energy certification program; Green-e Climate, a greenhouse gas emission reduction (carbon offset) certification program; and Green-e Marketplace, a program that verifies renewable energy and carbon claims and enables recognition through the Green-e certification mark. To learn more about Green-e Certified products and programs available in all 50 states, visit www.green-e.org.

About Center for Resource Solutions
Center for Resource Solutions (CRS) is a national nonprofit with global impact. CRS brings forth expert responses to climate change issues with the speed and effectiveness necessary to provide real-time solutions. Its leadership through collaboration and environmental innovation builds policies and consumer-protection mechanisms in renewable energy, greenhouse gas reductions, and energy efficiency that foster healthy and sustained growth in national and international markets. For more information about its programs, including Green-e, visit www.resource-solutions.org and www.green-e.org.

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