The use of renewable energy certificates (RECs) is a common way to purchase green power, or to ensure that renewable energy is generated to the electric grid. RECs are a tradable commodity that represent the non-energy attributes of electricity generated by renewable sources. They are used either to comply with state-mandated renewable energy requirements (including specific solar requirements in some states), or to satisfy voluntary personal or organizational goals.  Ed Holt of Ed Holt and Associates define REC's and describe REC markets and current issues relating to the use of RECs.  Ethan Minton of Portland Radio Group will share the story of how WCLZ (98.9 FM) acheived carbon neutrality, a process that included the purchase of REC's from Native Energy and First Wind.   

Presenters

Ed Holt is an independent consultant on renewable energy policy and programs based in Harspwell. He advises government agencies, utilities and non-profits on green power programs, and was one of the earliest to recognize the potential of voluntary markets to help achieve environmental goals. Ed also delves deeply into renewable energy policies such as renewable electricity standards and regulations. He has been a thought leader in the development and use of renewable energy certificates. More recently, he has focused on the interaction between carbon emissions markets and renewable energy. He publishes research papers with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, among others.

Ethan Minton is Program Director and Listener Advocate at WCLZ, Maine's only carbon neutral radio station.  From WCLZ: "Our commitment to the environment includes evaluating our carbon footprint each year. This includes our total energy use - everything from commuting and corporate travel, office and studio lights and heat, the cost of transmitting our signal, and producing promotional items like CDs, re-usable totes and aluminum water bottles. We’re emitting about 230 tons of CO2 each year. To achieve our carbon neutral goal we’ve partnered with Reverb and Atlantic Records and are taking two steps. We’ll be purchasing renewable energy credits from First Wind, an independent wind energy company that develops and operates wind farms, including one in Mars Hill, Maine. We’ll also be purchasing offsets from Native Energy, whose focus is on renewable energy projects."