GREEN POWER PROGRAMS: RENEWABLE ENERGY MADE EASY
Where does your electricity come from? Today, there are three ways you can support renewable energy in Colorado: (1) install renewable energy at your home or business, (2) purchase renewable energy through your local electricity provider, or (3) purchase renewable energy certificates (RECs) from an independent company. This page provides additional information about ways you can voluntarily support renewable energy programs through your utility or RECs.
Utility Programs
Colorado utilities give consumers a choice when it comes to their energy source. Through voluntary “green power” programs, you can choose to get all or some of your energy from renewable sources, such as wind, solar, geothermal, hydropower and various forms of biomass. You can get more information about this opportunity from your local utility:
Xcel Energy – Windsource
Xcel Energy – Renewable Energy Trust
Platte River Power Authority – Nature’s Energy (Fort Collins, Longmont, Loveland and Estes Park utilities)
RECs
Another way to support renewable energy projects is by buying Renewable Energy Certificates or RECs.
Renewable energy certificates (RECs), also known as green certificates, green tags or tradable renewable certificates, represent the environmental attributes of the power produced from renewable energy projects and are sold separately from commodity electricity. Customers can buy green certificates whether or not they have access to green power through their local utility or a competitive electricity marketer, and they can purchase green certificates without having to switch electricity suppliers. RECs are available from multiple suppliers. Learn more at these sites:
Visit Boulder-based Renewable Choice.
Review National Retail REC Products.
Renewable Energy FAQ
- Can I buy green power from my utility?
- What are carbon offsets or greenhouse gas offsets and how do they work?
- Is there any legislation I should be aware of?
- How do I know I’m getting what I pay for?
1. Can I buy green power from my utility?
Currently, Colorado’s utility companies offer several different green energy options. Depending on your energy provider, you may be able to voluntarily choose wind, solar, geothermal or hydro as an alternative energy source for some or all of your power needs.
2. What are carbon offsets or greenhouse gas offsets and how do they work?
For more information on carbon offsets, go here.
3. Is there any legislation I should be aware of?
On March 27, 2007, Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter signed House Bill 1281 into law. This law doubled the state’s renewable energy portfolio standard (RPS). It also required municipal utilities to offer an optional pricing program that allows retail customers to support emerging renewable energy technologies through utility rates. The RPS requires investor-owned utilities to obtain 20% of their electricity supplies from renewable sources by 2020 and sets a 10% renewable energy goal for the state’s municipal and rural electric cooperatives.
Read the bill here.
4. How do I know I’m getting what I pay for?
In Colorado, the PUC oversees the voluntary renewable energy programs offered by Xcel Energy and Black Hills. For other utilities, their local boards or governing bodies self-regulate the programs. If you have any questions about what is being offered, don’t hesitate to contact your utility for details.
There is a nationwide certification program called Green-e for both utility programs and RECs. The Green-e program is run by a nonprofit and does an annual audit of certified programs to make sure consumers are getting what they paid for. Click here for a list of certified programs.
