Renewables and RECs

There are no clean or dirty electrons - only electricity. Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) were developed to account for clean energy.

In the United States, there is a $2 trillion electricity grid towards which Americans spend over $1 trillion annually. Nearly everyone pays an electricity bill. However, everyone's electricity is different, not in cost but source. The average U.S. household is powered by only 10% renewable of renewable energy, with the remaining 90% sourced from fossil fuels - contributing to the carbon footprint. Many consumers seek to use renewable energy, but their providers don't offer it, and it isn't straightforward to install on their property. Here, Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) come into play. 

In an ideal world, we would have solar panels covering the roofs of every house and wind turbines in everyone's backyard. This is not reality. Many property locations, landlords, and dozens of other factors prevent them from instituting renewable energy. Even with the opportunity to buy renewable energy from your electricity provider, there is no way to identify your energy source on the grid. There is no such thing as a dirty or clean electron - it's merely electricity. 

There are never two RECs. Each REC is uniquely identified with a tracking number, source, certification, capacity, utility, and emissions factors. They are monitored by government and organizations world-wide.

Thus, RECs were formed and accepted internationally as a method to power your home or business with renewable energy. Each REC has a unique Tracking ID number and source, ensuring that every REC came from a renewable source. They are strictly regulated in the international and national markets to aid in buyer security. Why do people need RECs? Over 33 states require renewable energy (Renewable Portfolio Standard), businesses want a heightened reputation, and individuals want to show support for a clean energy future. We buy RECs to help reduce greenhouse emissions and, at a larger scale, climate change. 

📝 One REC = 💡 One Mwh

RECs work in masses. If enough people buy RECs, then the demand will be higher, and more renewable energy projects will be pursued. With more renewable energy sources, there are fewer fossil fuels used, and there are fewer greenhouse gases emitted. This chain of actions helps to build a more sustainable energy grid—however, there are many misconceptions about RECs.

RECs Are

• Preventing more greenhouse gases from entering the atmosphere.

• Contributing to the transition of renewable energy. 

• An additional step you should take with carbon offsetting to reduce your carbon footprint.

RECs Are Not

• Removing greenhouse gases from the atmosphere. 

• "Additional," meaning that RECs do not build new infrastructure. 

• System-Wide, instead, a vast amount of individuals and businesses must purchase RECs to impact the fossil fuel market.

All in all, RECs enable you to buy clean energy, even when your local energy provider does not offer renewable energy. They support renewable energy efforts. If you want to maximize your impact on the reduction of greenhouse gases personally, take more active steps. First, reduce your impact as much as you can - this includes buying RECs. Next, offset the rest of your footprint with a verifiable and efficient reduction of greenhouse gases. Then, go a step further to encourage your community to do the same. The greatest tool we have to fight climate change is changing our community's habits, not changing our community.