State and Local
Climate and Energy Program
LOCAL GOVERNMENT CLIMATE AND ENERGY STRATEGY SERIES
Green Power
Procurement
A Guide to Developing and Implementing
Greenhouse Gas Reduction Programs
U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
2014
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EPA's Local Government Climate and Energy
Strategy Series
The Local Government Climate and Energy Strategy Series provides a comprehensive, straightforward overview of green-
house gas (GHG) emissions reduction strategies for local governments. Topics include energy efficiency transportation,
community planning and design, solid waste and materials management, and renewable energy. City, county, territorial,
tribal, and regional government staff, and elected officials can use these guides to plan, implement, and evaluate their
climate change mitigation and energy projects.
Each guide provides an overview of project benefits, policy mechanisms, investments, key stakeholders, and other imple-
mentation considerations. Examples and case studies highlighting achievable results from programs implemented in
communities across the United States are incorporated throughout the guides.
While each guide stands on its own, the entire series contains many interrelated strategies that can be combined to create
comprehensive, cost-effective programs that generate multiple benefits. For example, efforts to improve energy efficiency
can be combined with transportation and community planning programs to reduce GHG emissions, decrease energy and
transportation costs, improve air quality and public health, and enhance quality of life.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT CLIMATE AND ENERGY STRATEGY SERIES
All documents are available at: www.epa.gov/statelocalclimate/resources/strategy-guides.html.
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
Energy Efficiency in Local Government Operations
Energy Efficiency in K-12 Schools
Energy Efficiency in Affordable Housing
1 Energy-Efficient Product Procurement
Combined Heat and Power
Energy Efficiency in Water and Wastewater Facilities
TRANSPORTATION
Transportation Control Measures
URBAN PLANNING AND DESIGN
Smart Growth
SOLID WASTE AND MATERIALS MANAGEMENT
Resource Conservation and Recovery
RENEWABLE ENERGY
Green Power Procurement
On-Site Renewable Energy Generation
Landfill Gas Energy
Please note: All Web addresses in this document were working as of the time of publication, but links may break over time
as sites are reorganized and content is moved.
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CONTENTS
Executive Summary _v
1. Overview __1
2. Benefits of Green Power Procurement __1
3. Green Power Products _3
4. Key Participants _5
5. Foundations for Program Development _6
6. Strategies for Effective Program Implementation _7
7. Costs and Funding Opportunities 10
Costs 10
Funding Opportunities ._ 10
8. Federal, State, and Other Program Resources 11
Federal Programs 11
State Programs 12
Other Programs 12
9. Case Studies _ 13
Bellingham, Washington ._ 13
Program Initiation ._ 13
Program Features ._ 14
Program Results 14
Montgomery County, Maryland Clean Energy Buyers Group 15
Program Initiation 15
Program Features 15
Program Results ._ 16
10. Additional Examples and Information Resources 17
11. References 22
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Green Power
Procurement
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Developing and Implementing
Renewable Energy Programs
A growing number of local governments are turning
to renewable energy as a strategy to reduce GHGs,
improve air quality and energy security, boost the local
economy, and pave the way to a sustainable energy
future. Renewable energy resources—such as solar,
wind, biomass, hydropower, and landfill gas—reduce
GHG emissions by replacing fossil fuels. Renewables
also reduce emissions of conventional air pollutants,
such as sulfur dioxide, that result from fossil fuel
combustion. In addition, renewable energy can create
jobs and open new markets for the local economy, and
can be used as a hedge against price fluctuations of
fossil fuels. Local governments using renewable energy
can demonstrate leadership, helping to spur additional
renewable energy investments in their region.
Local governments can promote renewable energy
by using it to help meet their own energy needs in
municipal operations, and by encouraging its use by
local residents and businesses. The renewable energy
guides in this series present three strategies that local
governments can use to gain the benefits of renewables:
purchasing green power, generating energy from
renewable sources on-site, and generating renewable
energy from landfill gas.
Green Power Procurement
This guide describes a variety of approaches that local
governments can use to advance climate and energy
goals by meeting some or all of their electricity needs
through green power. The sections in this guide discuss
how local governments can work with utilities, local
businesses, nonprofit groups, residents, state agencies,
and green power marketers and brokers to purchase
green power directly or through Renewable Energy
Certificates. It is designed to be used by municipal
energy coordinators, local energy and environment
RELATED GUIDES IN THIS SERIES
1 Energy Efficiency: Energy Efficiency in Local
Government Operations
Local governments can implement energy-saving
measures in existing local government facilities, new and
green buildings, and day-to-day operations. Green power
purchasing can be used in combination with energy
efficiency in government operations to reduce a local
government's total use of fossil-fuel power and help it
meet GHG reduction targets.
1 Energy Efficiency: Combined Heat and Power
Combined heat and power (CHP), also known as cogen-
eration, refers to the simultaneous production of electric-
ity and thermal energy from a single fuel source. Local
governments can implement CHP systems at suitable
facilities and purchase green power for any remaining
energy needs to help reduce their overall GHG emissions.
1 Renewable Energy: On-Site Renewable Energy
Generation
Local governments can implement on-site renew-
able energy generation by installing wind turbines,
solar panels, and other renewable energy generating
technologies. A local government can combine on-site
renewable energy generation with green power purchas-
ing to generate Renewable Energy Credits while reduc-
ing GHG emissions.
1 Renewable Energy: Landfill Gas Energy
Landfill gas energy technologies capture methane from
landfills to prevent it from being emitted to the atmo-
sphere, reducing landfill methane emissions by 60-90%.
Local governments can complement their landfill gas
energy programs with green power procurement to
maximize the amount of their energy needs that are met
by renewable sources.
agency staff, environmental and energy advisors to
elected officials, utility staff, and community groups.
Readers of the guide should come away with an under-
standing of the different types of green power products,
the steps involved in designing and implementing
procurement programs, and strategies for funding
Green Power Procurement | Local Government Climate and Energy Strategy Series
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
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green power purchases. The guide highlights examples
of successful procurement programs from across the
United States to demonstrate how green power can
meet the diverse energy needs of communities of
different sizes, governance structures, and locations.
The guide describes the benefits of green power
procurement (section 2); measures for purchasing
green power (section 3); key participants and their
roles (section 4); the policy mechanisms that local
governments have used to support green power
purchases (section 5); implementation strategies for
effective programs (section 6); costs and funding
opportunities (section 7); federal, state, and other
programs that may be able to help local governments
with information or financial and technical assistance
(section 8); and two case studies of local govern-
ments that have comprehensive programs in place for
purchasing green power (section 9). Other examples
of successful implementation are provided throughout
the guide.
Relationships to Other Guides
in the Series
Local governments can use other guides in this
series to develop comprehensive climate and energy
programs that incorporate complementary strate-
gies. For example, local governments could combine
green power procurement with initiatives in energy
efficiency in local government operations, combined
heat and power, on-site renewable energy generation,
and landfill gas to energy to help achieve additional
environmental, economic, and social benefits.
See the box on page v for more information about
these complementary strategies. Additional connec-
tions to related strategies are highlighted in the guide.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
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1. OVERVIEW
Many local governments are using green power in their
facilities and providing assistance to local businesses
and residents to do the same. Green power is a subset
of renewable energy that is produced with no GHG
emissions, typically from solar, wind, geothermal,
biogas, biomass, or low-impact hydroelectric sources.
It includes three types of products: utility products (i.e.,
green power purchased from the utility through the
electricity grid), renewable energy certificates (RECs),
and on-site generation. (One REC is equal to one
MWh of qualified renewable energy; see the text box
on page 4 for more information on RECs.) Opportuni-
ties to purchase RECs are increasing significantly
through the voluntary market. For example, the
National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) esti-
mates that the voluntary REC market was 35.6 million
MWh in 2010, growing to 48.6 million MWh of RECs
in 2012 (NREL, 2013).
RENEWABLE ENERGY AND GREEN POWER
Green power is a subset of renewable energy, and
represents those renewable energy resources and
technologies that provide the highest environmental
benefit. Green power is produced from solar, wind,
geothermal, biogas, eligible biomass, and low-impact
hydro.
U.S. Energy Supply
I Solar - Wind - Biogas - I
Biomass - Low-impact
Hydro - Geothermal
I Coal - Oil - Natural Gas | Nuclear - Hydro - Waste to Energy |
Lower Environmental Benefit
Higher Environmental Benefit
Green power sources produce electricity with an
environmental profile superior to that of conventional
power technologies, and produce no anthropogenic
greenhouse gas emissions. EPA requires that green
power sources must also have been built within the last
15 years in order to support "new" renewable energy
development (U.S. EPA, 2007).*
* January 1,1997 is considered a definitive point in time when
green power facilities could be adequately identified as having
been developed to serve the green power marketplace. Green
power facilities placed into service after January 1,1997 are
said to produce "new" renewable energy. The "new" criterion
addresses the additionality requirement for the voluntary
market (U.S. EPA, 2007a).
By substituting green power for conventional electric-
ity, which is produced primarily by combusting fossil
fuels and is responsible for nearly 33 percent of total
U.S. energy-related GHG emissions, local governments
and their communities can achieve significant energy,
environmental, and economic benefits (U. S. EPA,
2013).
This guide deals primarily with opportunities to
purchase, or procure, green power directly from
utilities and through RECs. It provides information
on how local governments have planned and imple-
mented green power purchases for their facilities and
throughout their communities, and highlights sources
of funding and case studies. Links to more examples
and resources are provided in Section 10, Additional
Examples and Information Resources. For more infor-
mation on generating green power on-site, see EPA's
On-site Renewable Energy Generation guide in the
Local Government Climate and Energy Strategy Series.
2. BENEFITS OF GREEN
POWER PROCUREMENT
Green power procurement can produce significant
energy, environmental, economic, and other benefits
by helping local governments:
Reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and other
environmental impacts. Purchasing green power
reduces GHG emissions and emissions of pollutants
associated with conventional electricity generation.
As noted above, fossil fuel combustion for electricity
generation accounts for 33 percent of the nations GHG
emissions (U.S. EPA, 2013a). Many local governments
have committed to purchasing green power as a prima-
ry strategy for meeting their GHG emission reduction
goals (U.S. EPA, 2004).
The Philadelphia Local Action Plan for
Climate Change includes a commitment to
obtain 100 percent of the city government's
electricity from wind as a way to help reduce its
GHG emissions to 1990 levels by 2010. The city
government has already reduced municipal GHG
emissions by 11 percent, bringing its emissions
below the baseline level in 1990 (Philadelphia,
2012).
Green Power Procurement | Local Government Climate and Energy Strategy Series
1. OVERVIEW
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GREEN POWER IMPLICATIONS FOR AIR QUALITY
Some local governments cite air quality concerns as a
primary driver for committing to green power. In 2006-
2007, 23 local governments in Pennsylvania signed on to
the Pennsylvania Clean Energy Communities Campaign,
which helped local governments commit to purchasing
20% green power by 2010 and to encourage 7% of
their businesses and residents to commit to purchasing
green power. One of the goals of this campaign was to
improve regional air quality. Ten of the 23 municipalities
met their commitments under the program by the end
of 2007, three years ahead of schedule.
In Swarthmore Borough, a campaign participant and
EPA Green Power Community, 26% of all households
committed to purchasing green power. As of 2013,
the community was meeting approximately 33% of its
consumption with green power.
Sources: Smart Power, 2007, 2013a; U.S. EPA, 2007f; U.S. EPA,
2013b; Swarthmore, 2007.
In addition to reducing emissions of GHGs, purchasing
green power (which produces little or no toxic emis-
sions) can reduce the air quality impacts of electricity
consumption (U.S. EPA, 2007e). Fossil fuel combustion
for electricity generation accounts for 67 percent of the
nation's sulfur oxides (SOx) emissions and 23 percent
of the nation's emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx),
both of which can lead to smog and acid rain (U.S.
EPA, 2008). The combustion of fossil fuels also results
in emissions of trace amounts of airborne particulate
matter that can cause respiratory problems for many
people (U.S. EPA, 2008).
Support economic growth through job creation and
market development. Purchasing green power can
lead to increased regional employment. When renew-
able energy generation facilities are sited close to the
end user, local jobs are created to install and operate
renewable energy generation facilities (U.S. EPA, 2004;
IREC, Undated; Apollo, 2007). As of 2010, the clean
energy industry is estimated to have created more than
138,000 direct jobs in the United States, at an approxi-
mate 3 percent growth since 2003 (EESI 2013; Brook-
ings Institution 2011).1 Many local governments are
using their purchasing power to support regional and
state manufacturing sectors by specifying green power
developed in-state or within a particular region.
1 This estimate includes only direct employment in the renewable energy
sector. The number of both direct and indirect jobs created is estimated at
903,536 to 1,055,536 (EESI, 2013).
The municipal electric utility in Austin,
Texas contracts for its green power specifi-
cally from in-state resources, including six
wind farms in West Texas (Austin Energy, 2013).
The total wind capacity of the six projects is 634
MW, enough to supply power for 80,000 Austin
homes annually. In Texas, these projects provided
approximately 600 jobs during construction and
60-80 permanent jobs for the administration,
operation, and maintenance of the wind farms
(TX State Energy Conservation Office, 2013).
Demonstrate leadership. Public awareness of the
benefits of green power is generally high, which means
green power procurement can be an effective way for
local governments to demonstrate community leader-
ship and spur private investments. Many local govern-
ments are leading community efforts to purchase green
power.
Since being designated an EPA Green Power
Community in 2011, Washington, DC has
worked hard to remain the number one
Green Power Community in the country. The
district has exceeded its goal for renewable energy,
using more than one billion kWh of renewable
energy and meeting more than 11 percent of its
residential, business, and municipal electricity
needs with green power (U.S. EPA, 2013c).
PURCHASING GREEN POWER FOR HIGHLY VISIBLE
LOCAL GOVERNMENT FACILITIES
Many local governments have found that purchasing
green power for facilities that are frequented by
the public can raise community awareness of local
government leadership and clean energy benefits.
Lacey, Washington, for example, is using green power in
its city hall, public library, local museum, public works
operations center, and its parks and recreation centers.
In issuing a challenge to local businesses and residents
to increase their purchases of green power, the city
referred them to its own local government successes.
Source: Lacey, 2007.
Hedge against financial risks. Green power can
reduce a local government's susceptibility to fossil
fuel price volatility, since it is less sensitive than fossil
2. BENEFITS
r Procurement | Local Government Climate and Energy Strategy Series
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fuel-based electricity to market fluctuations and supply
limitations. Green power is often available for purchase
at a more stable or fixed price over the long term (U.S.
EPA, 2004; NYSERDA, 2003).
The city council of Austin, Texas, issued a
resolution directing its municipal electric
utility, Austin Energy, to adopt a risk
management strategy and to invest in long-term
renewable energy and energy conservation
programs (Austin Energy, 2003). To hedge against
rising fuel prices and to provide better rates for its
customers, Austin Energy has signed long-term
contracts with its green power providers for as
long as 10 and 12 years (Austin Energy, 2007). This
strategy led the City of Austin to become the first
large city in the country to use 100 percent renew-
able energy in all of its municipal buildings
(Austin Energy, 2013b; U.S. DOE, 2012).
1 Increase energy security through energy portfolio
diversification. In addition to the local and regional
benefits of purchasing green power, local governments
can help achieve national-scale energy benefits by
increasing the amount of green power in the coun-
try's energy portfolio. This reduces dependence on
imported fossil fuels and diversifies the nation's fuel
resources, which can improve the overall robustness of
the country's energy systems by reducing dependence
on a vulnerable, centralized energy delivery infrastruc-
ture (U.S. EPA, 2004).
3. GREEN POWER PRODUCTS
Three types of green power products are available to
local governments and the businesses and residents in
their communities. See the Steps for Purchasing Green
Power text box at right for more information on how
municipalities, businesses, and residents can take
advantage of these green power products:
Utility products. Many local governments purchase
green power directly from their electricity provider.
These purchases are often supplied as a fixed percent-
age of monthly use. Some local governments purchase
green power in fixed-quantity blocks (e.g., a 100 kWh
block of green power).
STEPS FOR PURCHASING GREEN POWER
1. Identify key decision makers. Local governments
can increase the effectiveness of a green power
procurement policy by combining the needs of a range
of stakeholders to ensure broad support for a project.
2. Gather energy data. By conducting an inventory of
energy use, local governments can identify where green
power purchases produce the greatest benefits and
determine how much green power to purchase.
3. Choose green power options. Local governments
can assess their options and eliminate green power
products based on feasibility considerations, such as
quality and supply of wind or solar resources.
4. Collect product information. Before purchasing
green power products, local governments can obtain
information and technical assistance from green power
marketers, REC vendors, federal and state governments,
other local governments, and various other resources.
5. Create a procurement plan. Local governments can
enhance the effectiveness of a green power procurement
policy by developing a clear plan that identifies the
project's scope, expected benefits, procurement and
financing methods, and implementation guidelines.
6. Capture the benefits. Local governments can ensure
the effectiveness of green power procurement policies
by tracking, evaluating, and reporting the benefits of
green power.
Source: U.S. EPA, 2004.
In September 2012, the City of Falls Church,
Virginia, partnered with Dominion Virginia
Power in a year-long campaign to become an
EPA Green Power Community. As part of this
effort, the city set a goal to meet 3 percent of
municipal electricity needs through green power
by September 2013 (Dominion Green Power,
2013). The city met that goal, and in October 2013
EPA recognized Falls Church as the first Green
Power Community in Virginia. The city encour-
aged residents and business to purchase RECs
from a green power provider and/or install on-site
renewable energy projects for solar, geothermal, or
wind power. The city is now purchasing more than
4 million kWh of green power annually, avoiding
CO2 emissions equivalent to those from 700 vehi-
cles per year (City of Falls Church, 2013; Falls
Church Post, 2013).
Green Power Procurement | Local Government Climate and Energy Strategy Series
3. GREEN POWER PRODUCTS
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Renewable energy certificates (RECs). RECs (also
known as green tags, green energy certificates, or trad-
able renewable certificates) represent the technological
and environmental attributes of electricity generated
from renewable sources. When renewable energy is
generated, the RECs maybe separated from the physi-
cal electricity and sold as a distinct product. Separating
RECs from physical electricity makes the physical elec-
tricity effectively "null" (i.e., environmentally equiva-
lent to conventional power). RECs can be purchased
directly from the renewable electricity generator or
through several types of REG providers, including
retail and wholesale REG marketers (e.g., utilities, non-
profits, or other environmental foundations) and REG
brokers (U.S. EPA, 2004; WRI, 2003).
Selling RECs as a separate product has the benefit
of creating green power opportunities for electricity
customers in areas that lack access to utility products,
and can create additional supply and cost options for
customers with access to utility products. Purchas-
ing RECs allows customers to maintain their existing
procurement relationships with electricity providers,
and makes the option of purchasing green power avail-
able to customers in leased spaces (where landlords
control electricity purchases). Local governments can
also specify the renewable energy source type and loca-
tion from which the RECs come.
In June 2013, Houston, Texas was the largest
municipal purchaser of green power in the
country, purchasing more than 140 MW of
wind and solar power through RECs from Reliant
Energy, a local energy provider. Under its contract
with Reliant Energy, Houston will meet 50 percent
of its municipal energy needs with green power
and use almost 623,000 MWh of renewable energy
per year, equivalent to the power consumed annu-
ally by 55,000 homes (City of Houston, 2013; U.S.
EPA 2013d).
On-site generation. Many local governments generate
green power at their own facilities. Generating green
power on-site can be especially beneficial for local
governments with facilities that are sensitive to the
risks of fuel supply disruptions and electricity black-
outs (e.g., hospitals) (U.S. EPA, 2004). In certain states,
net metering rules allow excess green power generated
on-site to be sold to a local utility for distribution to
grid-connected customers. For more information on
WHAT IS A RENEWABLE ENERGY CERTIFICATE (REO?
At the point of generation, green power can be sold
directly to the customer or separated into its two
components: physical electricity and the technological
and environmental attributes. When separated, the
technological and environmental attributes associated
with renewable energy are sold as renewable
energy certificates (RECs). The physical electricity,
no longer "bundled" with the technological and
environmental attributes, is sold through the grid and
is indistinguishable from electricity generated from
conventional sources.
Source: U.S. EPA, 2012b.
on-site generation, see EPAs On-site Renewable Energy
Generation guide in the Local Government Climate and
Energy Strategy Series.
Yolo County, California, developed a 7 MW
capacity on-site solar energy project to help
it meet its sustainability and environmental
stewardship goals and to provide an educational
resource for K-12 schoolchildren on renewable
energy. The project generates almost 14 million
kWh of solar energy, enough power to meet 152
percent of the county's electricity needs. This proj-
ect has avoided CO2 emissions equivalent to those
from 2,000 passenger vehicles per year and has put
Yolo County at #14 on the EPA's Top 20 On-Site
Generation green power users (Yolo County, 2013;
U.S. EPA, 2013e).
BENEFITS OF PURCHASING RECS
• RECs create green power opportunities for electricity
customers in areas that lack access to utility products
and can create additional supply and cost options for
customers with access to utility products.
• RECs enable customers to maintain existing
procurement relationships with electricity providers.
• RECs provide green power opportunities for
customers in leased spaces where landlords control
electricity purchases.
• REC purchasers can specify the green power source
type and location from which the RECs are derived.
• RECs may have a lower cost premium than green
power purchased directly from the utility.
3. GREEN POWER PRODUCTS
Green Power Procurement | Local Government Climate and Energy Strategy Series
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4. KEY PARTICIPANTS
A number of stakeholders are key in planning and
implementing local green power procurement activi-
ties, including:
Mayor or county executives. The mayor or county
executive can provide increased visibility for green
power procurement activities. In many local govern-
ments, the mayor or county executive has been the
driving force behind an initiative to increase use of
green power throughout the community.
City or county councils. Local city and county coun-
cils, or comparable legislative bodies, often initiate or
authorize green power procurement activities.
Suffolk County, New York, enacted two bills
requiring the local government to purchase
green power. Suffolk County currently gets
90 percent of its electricity from renewable energy
sources, and in 2011 was included in EPA's list of
the nation's top 50 green power purchasers (U.S.
EPA, 2013f; U.S. EPA, 2011).
Energy coordinators. Local governments can employ
an energy coordinator to monitor energy use. An
energy coordinator can gather energy data, select
green power systems and products, aggregate agency
purchasing accounts, install on-site renewable energy
systems, and quantify and communicate the benefits of
green power procurement.
Planning staff. Local planners can provide insight into
how green power fits into existing local government
and community-wide development plans. Many local
government planning departments are responsible for
local energy-related activities, including developing
energy plans. A number of local governments have
included green power procurement as a feature of their
energy and climate action plans.
The Worcester, Massachusetts, Climate
Action Plan included a proposed measure
that would require the local government to
purchase $25,000 in RECs to help meet its goal of
purchasing 20 percent green power by 2010
(Worcester, 2006).
COMMUNITY-WIDE REC PROGRAMS
In addition to purchasing RECs to offset their own
energy demands, local governments can establish
programs that encourage residents and local businesses
to purchase RECs. The municipal electric utility in
Ashland, Oregon, for example, purchases RECs from a
REC marketer to be sold to municipal utility customers.
The REC marketer has agreed to direct a portion of
its revenue from the REC sales to be invested in local
renewable energy projects, such as solar PV installations
and educational programs for Ashland students.
Source: Ashland, 2007.
State energy offices. State energy offices can provide
local governments with information on incentives for
purchasing green power, offer expertise to arrange
green power purchases tailored to community needs
and interests, and assist local governments in working
with utilities to obtain optimal green power rates.
The Oregon Energy Office provides local
governments with technical assistance for
renewable energy and energy efficiency proj-
ects and offers low-interest loans for clean energy
investments, including on-site renewable energy
generation system installation (Oregon, 2007).
Local businesses and residents. Many local govern-
ments have enhanced the energy, environmental, and
economic benefits of green power procurement by
engaging local businesses and residents. As of July
2013,48 communities had joined the EPA Green
Power Communities program, an initiative that
recognizes communities where local governments and
their businesses and residents collectively purchase
quantities of green power that meet EPA-determined
requirements (U.S. EPA, 2013g). (For more informa-
tion on EPA's Green Power Communities, see Section
8, Federal, State, and Other Program Resources.)
Many local governments have expanded their green
power procurement activities to provide incentives
and encouragement for businesses and residents to
purchase green power.
Green Power Procurement | Local Government Climate and Energy Strategy Series
4. KEY PARTICIPANTS
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Utilities. Local governments often work closely with
utilities to purchase green power. Utilities can assist
local governments in consolidating multiple local
government electricity accounts into master agree-
ments. In some instances, local governments can
negotiate long-term contracts with utilities to obtain
reduced green power rates. Local governments can also
work with utilities to engage the public and encour-
age green power procurement by local businesses and
residents.
In Fort Collins, Colorado, for example, the
city government coordinates with the local
utility to provide information to customers
on green power procurement opportunities
through various media, including utility bills, the
Internet, newsletters, mailings, and advertisements
(City of Fort Collins, 2013; ICLEI, 2005).
Green power marketers. Green power marketing
refers to selling green power in the competitive market.
More than a dozen states have deregulated their elec-
tricity markets, allowing retail and wholesale green
power marketers to compete to provide green power to
customers. In states that allow competitive electricity
markets, local governments can choose to switch from
standard electricity service to an alternative electricity
service offered by a green power marketer (U.S. DOE,
2007c).
Edmond, Oklahoma, partnered with utility
companies to provide enough wind and
geothermal energy to power 73 percent of
the city's facilities. Edmond's wind program, called
Pure and Simple Wind Power, is open to all utility
customers, who can sign up for block increments
(in 100 kWh each) or 100 percent wind power
(U.S. EPA, 2013h; City of Edmond, 2013).
Renewable electricity generators, REC marketers,
and REC brokers. Local governments have several
options for purchasing RECs. RECs can be purchased
directly from the renewable electricity generator or
indirectly through REC providers, which include REC
marketers and REC brokers. Many local governments
have purchased RECs through retail and wholesale
REC marketers, such as utilities, non-profit organiza-
tions, and environmental foundations.
REC brokers can help facilitate transactions between
local governments and renewable electricity generators
by matching a local government's specific REC needs
with an appropriate seller. In addition, REC brokers
can often structure the agreement to avoid some of
the transaction charges that local governments would
have to pay if the RECs were purchased from a retail
marketer (U.S. EPA, 2004; WRI, 2003).
Non-profit organizations and community groups.
Local governments sometimes work with non-profit
organizations to tailor green power procurement
activities to meet community needs.
Smart Power, a non-profit organization dedi-
cated to promoting clean energy, has estab-
lished community clean energy campaigns in
Connecticut and Pennsylvania. These campaigns
initially encouraged local governments to commit
to purchasing 20 percent green power by 2010 and
to work with local businesses and residents to
meet targets for green power procurement at the
community scale. In 2013, more than 100 local
governments throughout Connecticut met the 20
percent green power goal and received the
Connecticut Clean Energy Community status
(Smart Power, 2013b).
5. FOUNDATIONS FOR
PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT
Local governments can use several mechanisms to
establish green power procurement policies and to
create incentives for local businesses and residents,
including:
Mayor or executive initiatives. Mayors and county
executives can use executive orders to direct resources
toward purchasing green power products. Mayors and
county executives have also established green power
initiatives by challenging the community to meet green
power goals.
In 2006, the mayor of Moab City, Utah,
issued a challenge for 5 percent of the city's
electric customers to purchase wind power
through a local utility's wind program. The city
achieved its goal in little over one month, and then
5. FOUNDATIONS
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expanded its efforts to promote more green power.
As of 2013,13 percent of the community is buying
wind power through the program, accounting for
3.4 percent of Moab City's electricity purchases
(U.S. EPA, 2013i; City of Moab, 2013).
In 2007, the Austin (Texas) City Council
adopted the mayor's Climate Protection
Program and approved a resolution setting
Austin's renewable energy portfolio goal at 30
percent by 2020. The resolution included a 100
MW set-aside for solar energy and a goal for all
municipal buildings to use 100 percent renewable
energy by 2012. By 2011, the city achieved its goal
for municipal buildings. By 2013, the city added a
total of 851 MW of wind power to its renewable
energy portfolio, achieving 27 percent renewable
energy (Austin Energy, 2013c; City of Austin,
2013). EPA recognized Austin's renewable energy
efforts with a Climate Leadership Award in 2013.
In 2012, the City Council of Creve Coeur,
Missouri, launched its Green Power
Community Challenge to become the second
EPA Green Power Community in Missouri. The
city set a goal to reduce its energy consumption by
3 percent and use 1,523 MWh of renewable energy
through solar installations and the purchase of
RECs for its residents and businesses (City of
Creve Coeur, 2013; Missouri Green Power
Communities, 2013). To help achieve this goal,
the city provided outreach and education to its
citizens about sustainability while a city solar
installer offered a zero upfront cost option for resi-
dents and businesses installing solar systems. In
2013, the city achieved its goal of becoming an
EPA Green Power Community (Creve Coeur
Patch, 2013).
Local government resolutions. Many local govern-
ment city and county councils have passed resolutions
establishing green power procurement requirements
for government facilities. These requirements often
take the form of specified percentages of green power
that the local government must use on an annual basis.
Local renewable portfolio standards. Many states
have established renewable portfolio standards for
investor-owned utilities. These rules require utilities to
meet a certain percentage of their energy supply with
energy from qualified renewable sources. Some local
governments have adopted comparable requirements
for municipally owned utilities.
In Columbia, Missouri, residents approved
an ordinance that requires the municipal
water and electric utility to purchase increas-
ing levels of renewable energy, beginning with 2
percent by 2008, 5 percent by 2012,10 percent by
2017, and 15 percent by 2022 (DSIRE, 2013b). In
2012, renewable energy accounted nearly 8 percent
of Columbia's power purchases, exceeding the
city's goal (Columbia Water and Light, 2013).
6. STRATEGIES FOR
EFFECTIVE PROGRAM
IMPLEMENTATION
Local governments can use a number of approaches to
enhance the effectiveness of local green power procure-
ment activities, including:
Aggregation of demand for green power with other
jurisdictions. Some local governments have contracted
for green power at reduced electricity rates and trans-
action costs by aggregating electricity purchases. Local
governments can also use aggregated purchasing power
to encourage utilities to provide green power, especially
in deregulated markets (U.S. EPA, 2010). Aggregation
can take several forms, including:
> Aggregation with other local governments and
community organizations. Local governments can
aggregate purchases with other local governments
and community organizations by working within
existing associations or forming new ones.
In 2007, Allegheny County, the City of Pitts-
burgh, Pittsburgh Water & Sewer, the Sports
and Exhibition Authority, and the Pittsburgh
Zoo & PPG Aquarium established the Western
Pennsylvania Energy Consortium (WPEC) to form
a single purchasing authority focused on green
power initiatives and other environmental
programs. In 2008, WPEC purchased more than
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6. STRATEGIES
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11 million kWh of RECs, which supplied 10
percent of WPEC's annual electricity needs. As a
result, the consortium became an EPA Green
Power Partner and received an EPA Green Power
Leadership award in 2012. As of 2013, WPEC's
power portfolio had grown to 25 percent renew-
able energy, at a discounted price for all the orga-
nizations within the consortium (U.S. EPA, 2013J;
Allegheny County, 2013).
Community Choice Aggregation. Communities in
California, Ohio, and Massachusetts have adopted
resolutions authorizing Community Choice Aggre-
gation (CCA), which allows local governments to
aggregate the purchases of businesses, residents, and
municipal facilities that opt in to the program. This
arrangement enables local governments to make
decisions about electric services on a community
scale, which can lead to reduced rates. To learn
more about CCA and communities that have adopt-
ed CCA, see the U.S. Local Energy Aggregation
Network website: http://www.leanenergyus.org/
cca-by-state/.
BOULDER, COLORADO COMMUNITY CHALLENGE
In 2005, the Boulder, Colorado, Office of Environmental
Affairs announced the Wind Power 500 Challenge,
a program to encourage residential and commercial
municipal electric utility customers to enroll in the
utility's wind power program. The goal for the Challenge
was for 500 new customers to enroll in the program
over a two-month period. After two months, the
program had more than doubled its enrollment goal,
gaining 1,150 new customers.
Source: Boulder, 2005; Boulder, 2005b.
In 2012, the Village of Oak Park became the
first local government in Illinois to adopt an
aggregation program with a local energy
provider to supply 100 percent renewable energy
at a 25 percent discounted rate compared with
other state utility rates. As of 2012, approximately
95 percent of the city's residents and small busi-
nesses were participating in the program (Oak
Park, 2012; U.S. DOE, 2013).
The Cape Light Compact, a regional energy
services organization that serves 21 towns in
eastern Massachusetts, has established a
CCA program that allows customers to purchase
either 50 percent or 100 percent of their electricity
from green power sources, with 25 percent of the
proceeds being directed to development of new
renewable energy generation sources (CLC, 2013).
Engaging the community. In addition to purchasing
green power for their own facilities, local governments
can use a variety of approaches to encourage local
businesses and residents to purchase green power,
including:
Challenging local businesses and residents. A
number of local governments have challenged
commercial and residential electricity customers to
meet green power purchase targets.
In 2012, the community of Mercer Island,
Washington, challenged its residents and
businesses to increase their involvement in a
local utility's green power program, with a goal of
enrolling 750 participants. The community met
this goal, increasing its renewable energy use by 55
percent and purchasing 5.81 million kWh of
renewable energy in 2012. Through the challenge,
Mercer Island avoided more than 3,900 metric
tons of CO2 emissions, equivalent to the emissions
from the energy used by 195 homes in one year.
Following this achievement, the local utility gave
Mercer Island a $30,000 grant to fund a commu-
nity solar system at the Mercer Island Community
Center. The utility continues to collaborate with
the community by providing affordable program
costs to encourage residents and businesses to
switch to clean energy (City of Mercer Island,
2013; Puget Sound Energy, 2013).
> Creating competitions with other local govern-
ments. Some local governments have found that
competitions can help increase community aware-
ness of the benefits and availability of green power.
Each year since 2010, EPA's Green Power
Partnership has sponsored a Green Power
Community Challenge, in which
6. STRATEGIES
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communities around the country compete to
achieve the highest green power percentage of
total electricity use and to use the most green
power. Communities compete against one another
by challenging their residents and businesses to
purchase more renewable energy from local ener-
gy providers than their competitors. Washington,
DC, won the competitions in 2010-11,2011-12,
and 2012-13 for using the most green power.
Brookville, Maryland, won in 2010-11 for the
highest green power percentage of total electricity
use, and Oak Park, Illinois, won in 2011-12 and
2012-13 in the same category (U.S. EPA, 2012).
Negotiating terms of green power purchases. When
selecting green power products and making green
power purchases, local governments often establish
product and purchase criteria that reflect local govern-
ment- or community-specific preferences (e.g., a pref-
erence for green power to be generated locally). Local
governments can ensure that the terms of green power
procurement contracts meet these criteria through
several approaches (e.g., including the criteria in a
request for proposals). Specifically, local governments
can take the following actions:
Seeking fixed-price, long-term contracts. Because
green power generation requires no fuel input and
is not subject to fuel price volatility, it comes at a
consistent cost to the generator, meaning customer
prices remain relatively stable over time. Many local
governments have entered into long-term purchase
agreements with utilities or REG providers. While
short-term contracts may offer greater future flex-
ibility, long-term contracts can reduce a supplier's
risk, which often translates into reduced rates (U.S.
EPA, 2004; WRI, Undated).
The mayor of Ann Arbor, Michigan drafted a
resolution that called for the city to seek
long-term, fixed-price contracts for the
procurement of wind power. In May 2006, the
mayor's proposed resolution was unanimously
adopted by the city council (Ann Arbor, 2006).
Requesting proposals. Local governments can use
competitive sourcing policies to require electric-
ity service providers to meet their commitment
to green power (IREC, Undated). Several local
DRAFTING A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
To gather information from multiple green power
product providers and to obtain the best price possible,
local governments can issue a request for proposals
(RFP) that includes green power specifics, such as:
• The volume to be purchased.
• Duration of the purchase agreement.
• Types of renewable resources desired.
• Preferred location of renewable resources.
• Certification by a third party.
• Year of vintage (for RECs).
• Delivery start date.
Sources: WRI, 2006; U.S. EPA, 2004.
governments have structured requests for proposals
so that respondents must include green power as a
component of proposed electricity delivery.
In 2013, Washington, DCs Department of
General Services issued an RFP soliciting
green power providers to develop a wind or
solar energy project for 150,000 MWh of energy
per year (Renew Grid, 2013).
Requiring certification for green power products.
Local governments can require third-party certification
to ensure that green power providers' products meet
consumer protection and environmental standards.
Certification provides assurance that green power
products reduce a local government's environmental
impact, which can help secure buy-in throughout the
community. Certification can also verify that green
power product claims are valid (e.g., with respect
to the mix of renewable energy resources) and that
the products have not been repackaged (U.S. EPA,
2006; AWEA, 2004).2 A number of organizations
provide certification services, including the Center for
Resource Solutions Green-e Renewable Energy Certifi-
cation Program.
2 "Repackaging' refers to the concern that green power can be "repackaged"
and sold as a mix of renewable energy that is already injected into the grid
to satisfy legal mandates (e.g., through renewable portfolio standards) rather
than to meet consumer demand. Repackaged renewable energy does not
result in environmental improvement, since it merely sustains the status quo
(AWEA, 2004). Renewables that are counted toward satisfying mandates
cannot be used to support purchasers' environmental claims.
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When Westport, Connecticut committed to
purchasing 100 percent green power in 2002,
it became one of the first municipalities in
the Northeast to require that its green power
purchases be Green-e certified to demonstrate to
the community and other local governments its
commitment to using only energy from the clean-
est power sources available (U.S. DOE, 2004).
7 COSTS AND FUNDING
OPPORTUNITIES
This section provides information on the costs of
purchasing green power and describes funding oppor-
tunities for addressing these costs.
Costs
While green power purchases require no upfront
investment, they typically include a small cost premi-
um related to the still-developing nature of renewable
energy technologies. Premiums depend on a number of
factors, including the availability of subsidies, the terms
of the contract with the provider, the size of the green
power market, the proximity of the local government
to the source, and the type and quality of the product.
Green power premiums vary. In 2012, the national
average residential green power premium was 1.58$
per kWh. On average, residential consumers spent
about $6.97 per month above standard electricity rates
for green power through utility programs, an increase
from $5.40 per month in 2009 (NREL, 2013).
In Fort Collins, Colorado, the premium
added to customers' rates for the Platte River
Power Authority's wind program was 2.4
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performing energy audits in the city's facilities to
identify opportunities to reduce energy use (Grand
Rapids, 2007). After the city met its 20 percent
target, the mayor extended the goal to purchasing
100 percent renewable energy by 2020. As of 2013,
the city was on target to meet its interim goal of 30
percent (Michigan Radio, 2013; DSIRE, 2013c).
State clean energy funds. A number of states admin-
ister clean energy funds that can provide financial
assistance to local governments for green power
procurement. Other state programs offer incentives
for businesses and residents who invest in renewable
energy and energy efficiency. Local governments can
access information on state funding opportunities and
incentives for energy efficiency and renewable energy
projects by using the Database of State Incentives for
Renewable Energy at www.dsireusa.org.
>\ The Energy Trust of Oregon offers financial
1Q] f incentives for renewable energy and energy
I—I efficiency programs for a variety of eligible
sectors, including local government, commercial,
residential, and agricultural sectors. The trust is
funded through a 3 percent public-purchase
charge on electric customer utility bills through
2026 (DSIRE, 2013d).
Federal grant programs. Local governments may be
able to obtain financial assistance for purchasing green
power through several federal government programs.
Local governments can locate grants for clean energy
projects from federal government agencies by search-
ing the database of federal grants at www.grants.gov.
In addition, the EPA Grants Office and DOE Office
of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy provide
information on additional funding opportunities,
including grants, cooperative agreements, continuation
awards, and renewal awards.
Websites:
http://www.grants.gov/
(All federal grant-issuing agencies)
http://www. epa.gov/epahome/finance. htm
(EPA Funding Opportunities)
http://wwwl. eere. energy.gov/financing/
(DOE Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy)
8. FEDERAL, STATE,
AND OTHER PROGRAM
RESOURCES
A variety of federal, state, regional, and other agencies
and organizations provide resources that local govern-
ments can use when planning and implementing green
power procurement activities.
Federal Programs
Local governments can obtain information and assis-
tance for green power procurement activities from
several federal government programs, including:
National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL).
NREL is the primary national laboratory for renewable
energy and energy efficiency research and develop-
ment. NREL provides local governments with informa-
tion on existing and emerging technologies, including
how to plan, site, and finance projects using renewable
energy sources. NREL also provides information on
developing rules and regulations for net metering and
renewable portfolio standards for municipal utilities.
Website: http://www. nrel.gov/learning/re_basics. html
U.S. DOE Green Power Network. Local governments
can obtain news and information on green power
markets from the DOE Green Power Network. The
networks website provides information on green power
providers; green power products; and federal, state, and
local policies pertaining to green power markets, and
contains an extensive library of papers, articles, and
reports on green power.
Website: http://www. eere. energy.gov/greenpower/
U.S. EPA Green Power Communities. The Green
Power Communities program is an initiative of EPA's
Green Power Partnership that recognizes communities
where local governments and their businesses and resi-
dents collectively purchase quantities of green power
that meet EPA-determined requirements. As of June
2013, the percentages of green power purchased by the
48 Green Power Communities range from 3 percent to
nearly 92 percent of total electricity consumption (U.S.
EPA, 2013g).
Website: http://www. epa.gov/greenpower/communi-
ties/index.htm
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U.S. EPA Green Power Partnership. The EPA Green
Power Partnership is a voluntary program to support
the market for green power products. Local govern-
ments that meet partnership requirements earn public-
ity and recognition, and are ensured of the credibility
of their green power purchases. In addition, partners
can receive EPA expert advice on identifying green
power products and purchasing strategies, along with
tools and resources to calculate the environmental
benefits of green power purchases. The annual percent-
age requirements to qualify as a partner are as follows:
3 percent green power for entities using over 100
million kWh, 5 percent for between 10 million kWh
and 100 million kWh, 10 percent for between 1 million
kWh and 10 million kWh, and 20 percent for less than
1 million kWh.
Website: http://www. epa.gov/greenpower/
U.S. EPA State and Local Climate and Energy
Program. This program helps state, local, and tribal
governments achieve their climate change and clean
energy goals by providing technical assistance,
analytical tools, and outreach support. It includes two
programs:
The Local Climate and Energy Program helps local
and tribal governments meet multiple sustainability
goals with cost-effective climate change mitigation
and clean energy strategies. EPA provides local and
tribal governments with peer exchange training
opportunities along with planning, policy, technical,
and analytical information that support reduction
of GHG emissions.
The State Climate and Energy Program helps states
develop policies and programs that can reduce
GHG, lower energy costs, improve air quality and
public health, and help achieve economic develop-
ment goals. EPA provides states with and advises
them on proven, cost-effective best practices, peer
exchange opportunities, and analytical tools.
Website: http://www. epa.gov/statelocalclimate/
State Programs
Local governments have obtained technical assistance
and information resources from many state-adminis-
tered programs. State energy offices and public utilities
commissions (PUCs), in particular, can be helpful
resources for local governments planning to purchase
green power or developing community green power
programs. Some states engage local governments in
statewide challenges or initiatives to promote green
power.
The Connecticut Clean Energy Communities
Program, which is sponsored by the
Connecticut Clean Energy Fund, partners
with communities throughout the state, offering
technical assistance and incentives for renewable
energy investments. For example, the program
offers local governments a free 1 kW photovoltaic
solar electric system for every 100 residential
customers who sign up for the program's clean
energy option (Smart Power, 2007).
In 2008, Georgia's governor committed all
state facilities to reducing their energy
consumption by 15 percent by 2020 through
the Georgia Energy Challenge. The state later
expanded the challenge to include all state resi-
dents and businesses. More than 5,000 residents,
businesses, and local authorities had registered for
the energy program as of late 2012 (Georgia Ener-
gy Challenge, 2013; Georgia Environmental
Finance Authority, 2012).
Other Programs
Other sources of information and assistance include:
Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Effi-
ciency (DSIRE). A project of the North Carolina Solar
Center and the Interstate Renewable Energy Council,
DSIRE provides information on federal, state, and local
incentives for renewable energy and energy efficiency
projects, including tax credits, loans, and grants. The
database also provides information on state and local
regulations pertaining to renewable energy purchases
and on-site renewable energy generation, including
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8. OTHER RESOURCES
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overviews of state and local net metering rules, renew-
able portfolio standards, and requirements for renew-
able energy use at public facilities.
Website: http://www.dsireusa.org/
Green-e Renewable Energy Certification Program.
Developed by the Center for Resource Solutions,
Green-e is a voluntary certification and verification
program for wholesale, retail, and commercial electric-
ity products, RECs, and utility green pricing programs.
Green-e certifies about 100 retail and wholesale green
power marketers across the country. In addition, Green-
e sets consumer protection and environmental stan-
dards for energy-related products. Local governments
can seek certification from Green-e as purchasers of
certified renewable energy, for which Green-e provides
a label that can be displayed in government facilities.
Website: http://www.green-e. orgf
Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC). IREC
promotes deployment of renewable energy in state
and local government activities by providing informa-
tion and assistance to state and local governments for
a number of renewable energy activities, including
public education, procurement coordination, and
adoption of uniform standards.
Website: http://www. irecusa. orgf
Renewable Energy Policy Project. The Renewable
Energy Policy Project, created by the Center for
Renewable Energy and Sustainable Technology, aims
to accelerate the deployment of renewable energy tech-
nologies and serves as a clearinghouse for information
on renewable energy technologies and policies.
Website: http://www. repp, orglindex, html
9. CASE STUDIES
The following two case studies describe comprehen-
sive programs for purchasing green power products
for local government facilities and operations, and
for supporting green power purchases throughout
the community. Each case study describes how the
program was initiated, key program activities and
features, and program benefits.
Bellingham, Washington -
Green Power Purchasing
Bellingham, Washington, has become one of the
nation's leading communities in green power procure-
ment. In 2006, the city government committed to
meeting 100 percent of its electricity demand with
green power. The city has worked with local businesses
and residents to increase green power purchases to
14.5 percent of community-wide electricity demand
(U.S. EPA, 20131). These efforts have earned Belling-
ham recognition as an EPA Green Power Community
and a Green Power Leader.
PROFILE: BELLINGHAM, WASHINGTON
Area: 28 square miles
Population: 82,234 (2012 data)
Structure: The city is governed by a mayor and a six-
member city council. Activities under the city's climate
action plan are implemented by the Environmental
Resources division in the Department of Public Works.
Program Scope: Bellingham is purchasing green power
for 100% of its government operations' electricity
demand. The community, including local businesses and
residents, is purchasing 14.5% green power.
Program Creation: A city council resolution in 2006
committed the city to purchasing 100% green power
in 2007, endorsed the Bellingham Green Power
Community Challenge, and authorized participation in
EPA's Green Power Partnership.
Program Savings: The Bellingham community
purchases a total of 76 million kWh of green power
annually. The city government's purchase of 100% green
power (accounting for 25 million kWh) has reduced
city government CO2 emissions by 12,000 metric tons
annually (approximately 65 percent below emissions in
the year 2000).
PROGRAM INITIATION
In 2002, the Bellingham city council passed a resolu-
tion endorsing the Earth Charter, an international
statement that endorses the use of renewable energy
sources. The council followed this endorsement
with a resolution in 2005 that committed the city to
participate in the ICLEI - Local Governments for
Sustainability Cities, for Climate Protection program.
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As a requirement for participation, the city developed
an action plan for implementing measures that would
reduce its GHG emissions. Also in 2005, the mayor
signed the U.S. Conference of Mayors Climate Protec-
tion Agreement, which establishes goals for local
governments to increase use of "clean, alternative
energy" sources and encourage development of renew-
able energy resources. In 2006, the city council passed
Resolution 2006-28, which committed the city govern-
ment to purchasing RECs equal to 100 percent of its
electricity consumption in 2007 (Bellingham, 2002;
2005; 2006; 2007).
PROGRAM FEATURES
Bellingham's green power procurement program
includes the following features:
Participation in ICLEI's Cities for Climate Protection
program. In a 2005 city council resolution, Bellingham
committed to participating in the ICLEI Cities for
Climate Protection program. As required for program
members, the city developed an inventory of its GHG
emissions and drafted a climate action plan. The inven-
tory revealed that government operations account for
more than 2 percent of the community's total GHG
emissions. Purchasing green power is a key element of
the city's action plan (Bellingham, 2005; 2007).
City council resolution. City Council Resolution
2006-28 was the primary mechanism for implement-
ing the city's green power procurement program.
Under this resolution, the Bellingham city government
endorsed the Bellingham Green Power Community
Challenge, authorized the mayor to enter the city as a
participant in the EPA Green Power Partnership, and
committed the city government to purchasing RECs
equal to 100 percent of its electricity consumption
(about 25 million kWh annually). The cost premium of
purchasing this quantity of green power was $120,000
in 2009 (Bellingham, 2008; Bellingham Herald, 2010).
GHG emissions reduction goals. The Bellingham
City Council passed a resolution in 2007 committing
to reduce GHG emissions resulting from government
operations by 64 percent below 2000 levels by 2012 and
70 percent by 2020. These targets were based on the
fact that electricity consumption accounts for approxi-
mately 60 percent of all GHG emissions from city
government operations, and that by purchasing 100
percent green power the city reduced 2007 government
GHG emissions by approximately 60 percent. The city
has also established a community-wide goal to reduce
emissions resulting from all community activities by 7
percent below 2000 levels by 2012 and by 28 percent by
2020 (Bellingham 2006; 2007; 2007c).
Green Power Community Challenge. Bellingham
partnered with a non-profit organization to encourage
local businesses to participate in the Bellingham Green
Power Community Challenge, with a goal of increasing
the total amount of green power purchased in Bell-
ingham to 2 percent. The non-profit, whose members
include more than 600 businesses and community
leaders in northwest Washington, used its member-
ship to reach out to a large number of potential green
power purchasers. Participation by the Bellingham
community reached a total of nearly 2,000 households
and more than 100 businesses, and the city successfully
met and exceeded its 2 percent target. The city awarded
$1,000 for neighborhood improvement projects to the
neighborhood that achieved the highest percentage of
households participating in the challenge (Bellingham,
2006; Sustainable Connection, 2007b).
EPA Green Power Community. In 2007, EPA's Green
Power Partnership recognized Bellingham as a Green
Power Community, meeting green power purchase
requirements for its own facilities and a target for total
green power purchased by the community, including
the city government, businesses, residents, and non-
profit organizations.
Utility partnership. Bellingham has benefited from a
close relationship with its electric utility. As a reward
for the city's successful facilitation of the Green Power
Community Challenge, the utility provided two
solar electric demonstration projects to Bellingham,
installed on a rooftop and parking shed in the city. The
utility has benefited from the challenge as well, with
the community's significant green power purchases
enabling it to purchase green power in bulk at reduced
rates. These rate reductions have lowered the price
premium that local businesses and residents pay for
their green power by about 40 percent (Bellingham,
2008; Sustainable Connections, 2007b).
PROGRAM RESULTS
Bellingham's goal for the Green Power Community
Challenge was for the entire community to collectively
commit to purchasing at least 2 percent green power.
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9. CASE STUDIES
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The city exceeded this goal: as of 2013, the community
was purchasing 96 million kWh of green power annu-
ally (25 million kWh by the local government), or
greater than 14 percent of total community electricity
use. The city believes its renewable energy purchases
will reduce annual GHG emissions equivalent to the
amount produced by 10,000 cars in one year. Belling -
ham has become the EPA Green Power Community
with the highest percentage participation, and earned a
2007 EPA Green Power Community of the Year award
(Bellingham, 2007b; Bellingham, 2008; Sustainable
Connections, 2007b; U.S. EPA, 20131).
Website: http://www. cob. orglservices I environment I
green-resolutions.aspx
Montgomery County, Maryland
Clean Energy Buyers Group -
Green Power Purchasing
By combining aggregated purchase agreements with
green power purchasing, the Montgomery County
Clean Energy Buyers Group, led by Montgomery
County, Maryland, has achieved substantial energy and
environmental benefits. The group's 2012 aggregated
purchase includes enough wind power to supply
approximately 26 percent of the 11 participating enti-
ties' annual electricity use (U.S. EPA, 2013m).
PROGRAM INITIATION
In 2000, Montgomery County partnered with multiple
jurisdictions to aggregate standard electricity purchases
in order to obtain reduced rates. In 2003, the county
executive and county council approved a resolution to
amend the county's energy policy to require all county
departments to obtain 5 percent of their electric-
ity from green power and for the county to pursue
cost-saving opportunities to aggregate purchases.
In 2004, the county partnered with multiple local
jurisdictions to finalize a two-year contract that would
provide nearly 40 million kWh of wind power per
year, thus enabling the county to meet 5 percent of its
departmental electricity needs with renewable energy.
In 2006, the buying group renewed this contract and
increased the total amount of wind power to nearly
56 million kWh annually, allowing the county to raise
its green power target from 5 percent to 10 percent
(DSIRE, 2013e; Montgomery County, 2008). In fiscal
year 2008, the buying group purchased 65 million kWh
PROFILE: MONTGOMERY COUNTY, MARYLAND
Area: 500 square miles
Population: 1.005 million (2012 estimate)
Structure: The county is governed by a county
council and a county executive. The Department of
Public Works and Transportation coordinates the
county's green power purchases; the Department
of Environmental Protection administered the Clean
Energy Rewards program.
Program Scope: Montgomery County aggregates green
power purchases with 17 other public jurisdictions/
entities. In addition to purchasing green power for its
own facilities and operations, the county administered
a Clean Energy Rewards program through June 15,
2010 that promoted green power in the residential and
commercial sectors.
Program Creation: In 2003, the county passed a
resolution requiring all departments to obtain at least 5
percent of their electricity from renewable energy.
Program Savings: A three-year extension of the
county's aggregated green power purchase is expected
to save the county and its aggregation partners a
combined $25 million compared with the cost of
purchasing separately.
of wind power, and the county set a goal of doubling its
green power purchase percentage to 20 percent by 2011
(U.S. EPA, 2013m). As of 2012, the buying group was
purchasing more than 138 million kWh of wind power
annually, equivalent to 26 percent of the group's overall
electricity use (U.S. EPA, 2013m).
PROGRAM FEATURES
Montgomery County's green power purchasing
program includes the following features:
Aggregated demand. Aggregating the demand of
multiple electricity customers can help leverage
purchasing power, enabling local governments to
obtain reduced electricity rates as opposed to purchas-
ing on individual contracts. When Montgomery
County made its original aggregated purchase in
2000, it partnered with Montgomery County Public
Schools, the county Housing Opportunities Commis-
sion, Montgomery College, the Washington Suburban
Sanitary Commission, and the Maryland-National
Capital Park and Planning Commission. In 2005, six
Montgomery County agencies formed a new buying
group with 11 municipalities and neighboring Prince
Green Power Procurement | Local Government Climate and Energy Strategy Series
9. CASE STUDIES
15
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George's County to aggregate demand for green power
(DSIRE, 2007e). As of 2012, buying group participants
included the Montgomery County Government,
Montgomery County Public Schools, Montgomery
College, the Maryland National Capital Park and Plan-
ning Commission, Chevy Chase Village, Chevy Chase
Village Section 5, the City of Gaithersburg, the City of
Rockville, the City of Takoma Park, the Town of Kens-
ington, and the Town of Somerset (U.S. EPA, 2013m).
Green-e certification. In accordance with the county
energy policy, any wind power purchased must meet
Green-e certification for environmental claims (Mont-
gomery County, 2003).
Multi-year contract. The purchasing group agreed to
a two-year fixed-rate contract in 2004 to purchase 38
million kWh annually (Montgomery County, 2004). In
2006, the group renewed this contract for an additional
three years (Montgomery County, 2006).
"Energy-Wise Offices." The 2003 Montgomery County
Energy Policy created the "Energy-Wise Offices"
program, which encourages county employees to
implement energy conservation practices that comple-
ment the county's green power purchases (Montgom-
ery County, 2003).
Financial incentives for businesses and residents.
Through its Clean Energy Rewards program, Mont-
gomery County offered rebates to businesses and resi-
dents that purchased green power and RECs, or that
installed photovoltaic solar power generation systems
at their homes and buildings. Residential consumers
received 1$ per kWh of green power purchased, while
non-residential consumers received 1.5
-------
10. ADDITIONAL EXAMPLES AND INFORMATION RESOURCES
Title/Description Website
Examples of Green Power Procurement by Local Governments
Ann Arbor, Michigan. Ann Arbor established a goal of obtaining 30 percent of its energy needs
from renewable sources by 2015.
Aspen, Colorado. The city established a goal to purchase 100 percent of its electricity from
renewable sources by the year 2020.
Austin, Texas. The city council adopted a renewable portfolio standard for Austin Energy,
requiring the utility to supply 35 percent of its energy portfolio with energy from renewable
sources by 2020.
Bellingham, Washington. The city of Bellingham committed to purchasing 100 percent of its 2007
energy demands from green power sources.
Caroline, New York. Caroline purchased enough green power to offset 100 percent of its
electricity demand in 2005.
Columbia, Missouri. Columbia passed an initiative in 2004 that established a renewable portfolio
standard for the city's municipal water and electricity utility.
Dallas, Texas. Dallas, an EPA Green Power Partner, is purchasing 40 percent of its electricity from
green power sources.
Durango, Colorado. In 2007, Durango became one of the first governmental entities in Colorado
to commit to purchasing 100 percent green power for its municipal facilities and operations.
Evanston, Illinois. Evanston committed to purchasing RECs to offset 20 percent of its energy
consumption in municipal facilities.
Fairfax County, Virginia. Fairfax County entered into a three-year contract to purchase wind
energy. The quantity of the purchase will constitute 10 percent of the county's energy demand.
Houston, Texas. As of July 2013, Houston purchases enough green power to meet nearly half of
its annual electricity demand.
Lacey, Washington. Lacey is one of a handful of cities across the nation that is purchasing green
power to supply 100 percent of its municipal electricity needs. The city uses green power in its
office buildings, parks and recreation areas, utilities, and streetlights and traffic signals.
Moab, Utah. Moab purchases green power to supply the city's entire annual electricity use. In
2006, the mayor challenged residents to commit to purchasing 5 percent green power.
http://www.a2gov.org/government/
publicservices/systems_planning/
energy/energychallenge/Pages/
WhatlsTheEnergyChallenge.aspx
http://www. dsireusa. org/
incentives/incentive.cfm?lncentive_
Code=CO19R&re=0&ee=0
http://www. dsireusa. org/
Ubrary/includes/incentive2.
cfm?lncentive_Code = TXllR&state =
TX6rCurrentPagelD = 1&RE = 1&EE = 1
http://www. dsireusa. org/
incentives/incentive.cfm?lncentive_
Code=WA18R
http://www.townofcaroline.org/
energyindependent/
http://www. dsireusa. org/
incentives/incentive.cfm?lncentive_
Code=MO04R6ree=0
http://www.greendallas.net/energy_
air.html
h ttp://www. durango telegraph.
com/index, cfm/archives/2007/
april-19-2007/quick-n-dirty/
http://ir.constellation.com/common/
mobile/iphone/releasedetaii cfm ?rele
aseid=318078&CompanylD = CEG&m
obi lei d=
http://www.eere.energy.gov/
greenpower/news/news_template.
shtml?id = 1261
http://www.epa.gov/greenpower/
partners/partners/cityofhoustontx.
htm
h ttp://www. ci. la cey. wa. us/city -
government/city-departments/
public-affairs/sustainability/green-
power-challenge
http://www.epa.gov/greenpower/
partners/partners/cityof moabut.htm
Green Power Procurement | Local Government Climate and Energy Strategy Series
10. ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
17
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Title/Description
Olympia, Washington. Olympia committed to using green power to supply 100 percent of the
energy demand for its drinking water, wastewater, and storm and surface water utilities in 2007.
Park City, Utah. EPA designated Park City as a Green Power Community for purchasing 8.2
percent of its electricity use community-wide from green power sources.
Portland, Oregon. Portland saves $300,000 annually by aggregating purchases, taking advantage
of wholesale rates on its power (5 percent from renewable resources). The city uses 10 percent
green power for its municipal operations.
Radnor Township, Pennsylvania. In 2003, the commissioners committed to purchasing 62
percent green power, motivated by their concern over poor air quality caused by electricity
generation from fossil fuels in the Philadelphia region.
Rochester, New York. In 2005, Rochester purchased 15 percent Green-e certified green power
for its municipal facilities. As of August 2013, the city was using 25 percent renewable energy to
power its facilities.
Salem, Massachusetts. The city of Salem convened a renewable energy task force to assess the
city's potential for purchasing green power and installing renewable energy generation systems at
municipal facilities.
San Antonio, Texas. The San Antonio municipal utility established a goal of supplying 20 percent
of its power with renewable energy by 2020.
Santa Monica, California. Santa Monica became the first city in the United States to convert to
100 percent renewable energy in municipal buildings. In July 2013, the city purchased 28 million
kWh in RECs.
Suffolk County, New York. Suffolk County, one of EPA'sTop 50 green power purchasers, acquires
90 percent of its electricity from renewable energy sources.
Westport, Connecticut. Westport became one of the first municipalities in the Northeast to
commit to purchasing 100 percent green power. The city's purchases are certified by Green-e.
Website
http://apps3.eere.energy.gov/
greenpower/markets/carbon.
shtml?page=2frcompanyid=211
http://www.epa.gov/greenpower/
communities/communities/
parkcityutcommunity.htm
http://www.epa.gov/greenpower/
partners/partners/cityofportlandor.
htm
http://erendev.nrel.gov/greenpower/
buying/pr/0303_radnor_pr.html
http://www.epa.gov/greenpower/
partners/partners/cityofrochesterny.
htm
http://www.salem.com/Pages/
SalemMA_ BComm/energy
h ttp://www. dsireusa. org/
incentives/incentive.cfm?lncentive_
Code=TX15R&re=0&ee=0
http://www.epa.gov/greenpower/
toplists/partnerlOO.htm
http://www.epa.gov/greenpower/
partners/partners/suffolkcountyny.
htm
http://www.eere.energy.gov/
greenpower/buying/pr/0102_
ctecoop_pr.html
Examples of Local Government Green Power Procurement Programs for Businesses and Residents
Austin, Texas. The Austin Green Choice Program offers businesses and residents the opportunity
to purchase renewable energy from the municipal utility.
Beaverton, Oregon. Beaverton established a Green Power Challenge to encourage businesses and
residents to enroll in one of the local utility's renewable energy programs. The city government
is leading by example by purchasing 7.6 million kWh of renewable energy for its own facilities in
2007.
Berkeley, California. The Community Choice Aggregation, which includes the cities of Berkeley,
Oakland, and Emeryville, provides residential and business electricity customers with alternatives
to conventional energy. The initiative's goal is to increase the use of renewable energy in the
region.
http://www.austinenergy.com/
energy%20efficiency/Programs/
Green%20Choice/
http://www.portlandgeneral.com/
community_environment/initiatives/
renewable_energy/beaverton_
challenge.aspx
http://www. ci.berkeley. ca. us/
communitychoice/
18
10. ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
r Procurement | Local Government Climate and Energy Strategy Series
-------
Title/Description Website
Cape Cod and Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts. The Cape Light Compact committed to
purchasing RECs and became the first entity in Massachusetts to adopt the "Community Choice"
aggregation model. Each participating town passed a resolution accepting the purchase
agreement. Participation is voluntary for all residents.
Houston, Texas. The City of Houston maintains the Houston Consumer Choice website to inform
electricity customers of opportunities to purchase green power.
Los Angeles, California. The Green Power for a Green LA program encourages local businesses
and residents to sign up for green power purchases at a cost of 3C per kWh.
Ogden City, Utah. Ogden City established a community energy challenge that aims to increase
residential and commercial procurement of green power. One component of the program is a
quantity savings option that allows businesses to purchase green power in blocks at wholesale
rates.
Palo Alto, California. EPA recognized Palo Alto as a Green Power Community for achieving an
enrollment rate of 20 percent in its PaloAltoGreen community green power purchasing program.
http://apps3.eere.energy.gov/
greenpower/markets/certificates.
shtml?page=2frcompanyid=400
http://www.shoptexaselectricity.com/
houston-consumer-choice.aspx
https://www.ladwp.com/ladwp/
faces/ladwp/residential/r-gogreen/r-
gg-signupforgreenpower?_adf.
ctrl-state=16dxjjopnq_21(t_
afrLoop=7621SOS46S4000
http://www. ogdencity. com/
displayarticle92.html
http://www.epa.gov/greenpower/
communities/communities/
paloaltocacommunity.htm
Information Resources on Green Power Procurement
Assessing the Economic Development Impacts of Wind Power. This report provides examples
that document the economic development implications of investing in wind power.
Community Choice Aggregation. The Local Government Commission developed this fact sheet
to advise local governments on how to aggregate community energy purchases to produce
significant energy and environmental benefits.
Community Choice Aggregation: A Description and Analysis with Considerations for Colorado.
This paper addresses the benefits of aggregating community electricity purchases.
Corvallis, Oregon -An EPA Green Power Community. This presentation identifies the green
power suppliers used by the City of Corvallis, the cost-benefit of purchasing green power, and
success factors.
Customer Aggregation: An Opportunity for Green Power? This National Renewable Energy
Laboratory (NREL) report identifies current aggregation practices and assesses the community
and environmental benefits of aggregated green power purchases.
DSIRE. The Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy provides information on state and
local government renewable energy and energy efficiency incentives.
Emerging Markets for Renewable Energy Certificates: Opportunities and Challenges. This
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory report describes the current market for RECs. It provides
an overview of how RECs are marketed and identifies key challenges to broader expansion of REC
markets.
Environmental Resources Trust. The Environmental Resources Trust certifies RECs through its
EcoPower certification program.
http://www.nationalwind.org/assets/
past_workgroups/Assessing_the_
Econ_Development_lmpacts_of_
Wind_-_March_2003.pdf
http://www.lgc.org/cca/docs/cca_
energy '_ factsheet.pdf
http://www.capelightcompact.
org/library/2010/08/02. 01. 07-
Community-Choice-Aggregation-
Report.pdf
http://www.epa.gov/greenpower/
documents/events/18jan!2_webinar_
lovettpdf
http://www.eere.energy.gov/
greenpower/resources/pdfs/lb29408.
pdf
http://www. dsireusa. org/
http://www.eere.energy.gov/
greenpower/resources/pdfs/37388.
pdf
http://www. ert. net/
Green Power Procurement | Local Government Climate and Energy Strategy Series
10. ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
19
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Title/Description
Federal Grants. The Federal grants.gov program provides information on financial incentives
available from 26 government agencies for a range of investments, including renewable energy
generation.
FEMP Renewable Energy. The DOE FEMP program provides information on federal government
initiatives for using renewable energy, including on-site generation.
Green Power Marketing in the United States, A Status Report. This NREL report provides an
overview of current trends in green power prices and the state of renewable energy technologies.
Green Power Purchasing and Sustainability Planning in Washington, D.C. This report provides an
overview of green power purchasing efforts in Washington, DC, along with a summary of lessons
learned.
Website
http://www.grants.gov/
https://wwwl.eere.energy.gov/femp/
technologies/renewable_energy.html
http://www.nrel.gov/docs/
fy!4osti/60210.pdf
http://www.epa.gov/greenpower/
documents/events/18jan!2_webinar_
yambrach.pdf
Green-e. Green-e is a voluntary certification and verification program for wholesale, retail, and http://www.green-e.org/
commercial electricity products, RECs, and utility green pricing programs.
Greening the CityofMoab. This EPA presentation provides a list of the criteria for EPA's Green
Power Communities certification, as well as steps for community action campaigns.
Guide to Purchasing Green Power. This EPA Green Power Partnership guide provides information
on planning and implementing green power purchases.
Jobs from Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency. This fact sheet provides information on
existing and projected energy efficiency- and renewable energy-related jobs in the United States
by sector.
Municipal Guide to Purchasing Renewable Energy. This report provides guidance on designing
and financing RFPs for renewable energy purchases.
Putting Renewables to Work: How Many Jobs Can the Clean Energy Industry Generate. This
University of California-Berkeley report shows the economic benefits of investing in renewable
energy in terms of jobs created.
Regulator's Handbook on Renewable Energy Programs & Tariffs. This report by the Center for
Resource Solutions provides an overview of state renewable energy programs, along with case
studies on different states' methods of implementing those programs.
Renewable Energy Certificates: An Attractive Means for Corporate Customers to Purchase
Renewable Energy. This World Resources Institute report provides an overview of RECs, including
funding opportunities for procuring RECs and steps for selecting appropriate options.
Renewable Energy Certificates and Generation Attributes. This Regulatory Assistance Project
report provides an overview of the concept behind marketing renewable energy attributes.
Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency: Economic Drivers for the 21st Century. This report
was developed by the American Solar Energy Society to describe the existing and projected
breakdown of renewable energy and energy efficiency-related employment in the United States.
Switching to Green. This World Resources Institute report provides guidance to offices and retail
companies on procuring green power. The report gives an overview of steps to consider when
deciding to switch to green power.
http://www.eere.energy.gov/
greenpower/conference/lOgpmcOS/
wright_clouse.pdf
http://www.epa.gov/greenpower/
pdf/purchasing_guide_for_web.pdf
h ttp://www. eesi. org/
briefings/2007/Energy%20a%20
Clima te/11 -8-07_green_jobs/
EEREJobsFactSheet_ll-8-07.pdf
http://www.mass.gov/Eoca/docs/
doer/esmart-purchasing-renewable-
energy.pdf
http://rael.berkeley.edu/files/2004/
Kammen-Renewable-Jobs-2004.pdf
http://www.resource-solutions.
org/pub_pdfs/Handbook_on_
Renewable_Energy_Programs_(t_
Tariffs.pdf
http://pdf. wri. org/gpmdg_
corporate_5.pdf
http://www.raponline.org/docs/RAP_
Holt_lssuesLetter-RenewableEnergyC
ertificatesAndAttributes_2003_05.pdf
http://www.greenenergyohio.org/
page.cfm?pagelD=2257
http://pdf. wri. org/switching_ to_
green.pdf
20
10. ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
r Procurement | Local Government Climate and Energy Strategy Series
-------
Title/Description Website
Tackling Climate Change in the U.S.: Potential Carbon Emissions Reductions from Energy
Efficiency and Renewable Energy. This report by the American Solar Energy Society addresses
the potential contributions of different energy-efficient and renewable technologies toward
GHG emissions reductions. It provides an overview of the status and potential of each renewable
energy resource type.
Tradable Renewable Certificates Handbook. This handbook provides information on basics and
benefits of RECs and provides an overview of the regulator's role in facilitating REC transactions.
Treatment of Renewable Energy Certificates, Emissions Allowances, and Green Power Programs
in State Renewable Portfolio Standards. This Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory report
provides an overview of the treatment of renewable energy attributes in states that enforce
renewable portfolio standards. The report identified implementation issues that arise when RECs
are used for RPS compliance.
Trends in Utility Green Pricing. This NREL report presents data on trends in green pricing
for renewable energy products and provides an overview of utility green pricing program
implementation since 1999.
Using Wind Power to Hedge Volatile Electricity Prices for Commercial and Industrial Customers
in New York. This report, prepared for the New York State Energy Research and Development
Authority, provides a financial analysis of the comparative benefits of relying on wind power as
compared to conventional fossil fuels.
http://kansas.sierraclub.org/Wind/
Climate_Change.pdf
http://www.resource-solutions.
org/pub_pdfs/Regulators%20
Handbook%20on%20TRCs.pdf
http://eetd.lbl.gov/ea/ems/
reports/62S74.pdf
http://www.nrel.gov/docs/
fy07osti/40777.pdf
http://www.powernaturally.
org/About/documents/
WindHedgeExSumm.pdf
Green Power Procurement Tools
CACP Software. The Clean Air and Climate Protection (CACP) is a Windows-based software tool
designed to help state and local governments develop harmonized strategies to reduce both
GHG and air pollution emissions. It allows users to create a cross-sector emissions inventory at
the entire community level or at the government operations level. This tool was developed as
a joint project involving the former State and Territorial Air Pollution Program Administrators
and Association of Local Air Pollution Control Officers (STAPPA/ALAPCO), now the National
Association of Clean Air Agencies, and ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability.
eGRID. EPA's eGRID is a comprehensive source of data on the environmental characteristics of
domestic electric power generation. It compiles data from 24 federal sources on emissions and
resource mixes for virtually every power plant and company that generates electricity in the
United States. It also provides user search options, including aspects of individual power plants,
generating companies, states, and regions of the power grid.
EPA Green Power Locator. This tool enables users to locate green power options available in each
state.
EPA Power Profiler Tool. This EPA tool provides emission factors for a given region to help
calculate the pollution benefits of energy savings. Users enter a ZIP code and specify their
electric utility. This tool uses information from EPA's eGRID database of emissions and electricity
generation data.
GHG Equivalencies Calculator. Local governments can use this calculator to translate GHG
emissions reductions into more tangible quantities (e.g., vehicle miles reduced or trees planted).
Power Scorecard. The Power Scorecard is a Web-based information tool created by a coalition
of environmental groups. It enables consumers to compare the environmental impacts of green
power and conventional power products.
h ttp://www. icleiusa. org/tools/ca cp -
2009
http://www.epa.gov/cleanenergy/
egrid/index.htm
http://www.epa.gov/greenpower/
(oca tor/index, h tm
http://www.epa.gov/cleanenergy/
powerprofiler.html
http://www.usctcgateway.net/tool/
http://www.powerscorecard.org/
Green Power Procurement | Local Government Climate and Energy Strategy Series
10. ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
21
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11. REFERENCES
Allegheny County. 2013. "Green Power Partner" Recog-
nition. Available: http://www.alleghenycounty.us/
welcome/InsideStory/2_GreenPower.pdf. Accessed
9/10/2013.
Ann Arbor. 2006. Resolution to Set Renewable Energy
Goals. Available: http://www.dsireusa.org/docunients/
Incentives/MIOSR.pdf. Accessed 9/10/2013.
Ann Arbor. 2013. What is Ann Arbor's Energy Chal-
lenge? Available: http://www.a2gov.org/governnient/
publicservices/systems_planning/energy/energychal-
lenge/Pages/WhatlslheEnergyChallenge.aspx.
Accessed 9/9/2013.
Apollo. 2007. Community Jobs in the Green Economy.
Apollo Alliance and Urban Habitat. Available: http://
urbanhabitat.org/nles/Cornniunity-Jobs-in-the-
Green-Economy.pdf. Accessed 9/10/2013.
Ashland. 2007. Renewable Energy Programs. Available:
http://www.ashland.or.us/Page.asp?NavID= 14014.
Accessed 9/10/2013.
Austin Energy. 2003. Strategic Plan - Public Docu-
ment. Available: http://www.austinenergy.com/
About%20Us/Newsroom/Reports/strategicPlan.pdf.
Accessed 9/12/2007.
Austin Energy. 2007. GreenChoice Program Details.
Available: http://www.austinenergy.com/energy%20
emciency/Programs/Green%20Choice/programDe-
tails.htm. Accessed 8/10/2007.
Austin Energy. 2013. GreenChoice Program Details.
Available: http://www.austinenergy.com/energy%20
emciency/Programs/Green%20Choice/ sources.htm.
Accessed 9/10/2013.
Austin Energy. 20l3b. Austin Energy leads all public
power utilities for green power sales. Available: http://
www.austinenergy.com/About%20Us/Newsroom/
Press%20Releases/2013/publicPowerLeaderforGreen-
Sales.html. Accessed 9/9/2013.
Austin Energy. 20l3c. Two new wind contracts increase
Austin Energy's renewable portfolio. Available: http://
www.austinenergy.com/About%20Us/Newsroom/
Press%20Releases/2013/windContr acts.html.
Accessed 9/10/2013.
AWEA. 2004. Green Pricing Resource Guide.
Available:http://www.env.state.ma.us/dpu/docs/
electric/08-54/62512ecatexr2.pdf. Accessed 9/10/2013.
Bellingham. 2002. Resolution 2002-44. Available:
http://www.cob.org/web/legilog.nsf/0835b31f5719a20
5882566f0006cl444/f65368a432a58daf88256c8c006f7
545/$FILE/200244.pdf. Accessed 9/10/2013.
Bellingham. 2005. Resolution 2005-08. Available:
http://www.cob.org/web/legilog.nsf/0835b31f5719a20
5882566f0006cl444/leb7848768bl6dce88256fc5006c
7df4/$FILE/200508.pdf. Accessed 9/10/2013.
Bellingham. 2006. Resolution 2006-28. Available:
http://www.cob.org/web/legilog.nsf/0835b31f5719a20
5882566f0006cl444/f5420fe3cf4ccecf882571b600725
02f/$FILE/200628.pdf. Accessed 9/10/2013.
Bellingham. 2007. Greenhouse Gas Inventory and
Climate Protection Action Plan. Available: http://
conservation.whatcomcounty.org/energy/documents/
BellinghamGHGInventoryandActionPlan.pdf.
Accessed 9/10/2013.
Bellingham. 2007b. Bellingham Receives 2007
EPA Green Power Leadership Award. October 25,
2007. Available: http://www.piersystem.com/go/
doc/1264/180215. Accessed 9/10/2013.
Bellingham. 2007c. Resolution 2007-10. Available:
http://www.cob.org/web/legilog.nsf/0835b31f5719a20
5882566f0006cl444/672f7f6d83c263cl882572d50078
71a3/$FILE/200710.pdf. Accessed 9/10/2013.
Bellingham. 2008. Bellingham Community Green Power
Challenge. Available: http://www.epa.gov/statelocalcli-
mate/documents/pdf/BellinghamGreenPower05_08.
pdf. Accessed 11/12/2013.
Bellingham Herald. 2010. Crawford: Let's revisit green
power purchases. January 21, 2010. Available: http://
blogs.bellinghamherald.com/politics/crawford-lets-
revisit-green-power-purchases/. Accessed 9/10/2013.
22
11. REFERENCES
r Procurement | Local Government Climate and Energy Strategy Series
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Bird, L., L. Dagher, and B. Swezey. 2009. Green Power
Marketing in the United States. NREL/TP-6A2-46581.
Available: http://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy09osti/46581.
pdf. Accessed 9/10/2013.
Boulder. 2005. City of Boulder Challenge Community to
Increase Wind Power Purchases. Available: http://www.
westernresourceadvocates.org/media/pdf/PR_Wind-
challenge.pdf. Accessed 9/10/2013.
Boulder. 2005b. Boulder Exceeds Goals of Wind
Challenge. Available: http://yourhub.denverpost.
com/def-section/boulder-exceeds-wind-challenge-
goals/xZQtqK6EOxPqjOzpWY42jN-ugc. Accessed
9/10/2013.
Brookings Institute. 2011. Sizing the Clean Economy.
Available: http://www.brookings.edU/~/niedia/
series/resources/0713_clean_econoniy.pdf. Accessed
9/9/2013.
City of Aspen and Pitkin County. 2013. Available:
http://www.aspenpitkin.com/Living-in-the-Valley/
Green-Initiatives/Renewable-Energy/Wind/. Accessed
9/9/2013.
City of Austin. 2013. Climate Protection Resolution
No. 20070215-0232. 2012 Update. Available: http://
www.austintexas.gov/sites/default/files/files/Sustain-
ability/2012%20Resolution%20Matrix.pdf. Accessed
9/10/2013.
City of Creve Coeur. 2013. Sustainability. Available:
http://www.creve-coeur.org/index.aspx?NID=572.
Accessed 9/10/2013.
City of Edmond. 2013. Renewable Energy for Commer-
cial Customers. Available: http://edniondok.com/
index.aspx?NID=272. Accessed 9/10/2013.
City of Falls Church. 2013. Available: http://www.
fallschurchva.gov/content/green/greenpower/default.
aspx?cnlid=4962. Accessed 9/9/2013.
City of Fort Collins. 2013. Solar in Fort Collins. Avail-
able: http://www.fcgov.com/utilities/residential/
conserve/renewables. Accessed 9/9/2013.
City of Fort Collins. 20l3b. Green Energy. Available:
http://www.fcgov.com/utilities/residential/conserve/
renewables/green-energy?key=conservation/green-
energy.php. Accessed 9/10/2013.
City of Houston. 2013. City Of Houston Increases
Renewable Energy Purchase. Available: http://www.
houstontx.gov/niayor/press/20130620.htrnl. Accessed
9/9/2013.
City of Mercer Island. 2013. Mercer Island Residents
Get Green... One Hero at a Time. Available: http://
www.mercergov.org/News.asp?NewsID=1590.
Accessed 9/10/2013.
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Green Power Procurement | Local Government Climate and Energy Strategy Series
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State and Local
Climate and Energy Program
U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
1200 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE, NW
WASHINGTON, DC 20460
WWW.EPA.GOV/STATELOCALCLIMATE/RESOURCES/STRATEGY-GUIDES.HTML
EPA430-R-09-045
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