Washington, DC – Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-CA) reintroduced the Renewable Energy Certificate Study Act, legislation that directs the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to evaluate how federal agencies use Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) and their efficacy in advancing our nation’s clean energy goals. While RECs, certifications that one megawatt-hour (MWh) of electricity was generated from a renewable source and delivered to the grid, have become a common tool for meeting renewable energy targets, there is still limited information on whether they are delivering real and measurable climate benefits. Brownley’s bill aims to provide Congress with the data needed to ensure that RECs are being used effectively, transparently, and in a way that maximizes environmental impact.
“Renewable Energy Certificates were created to help expand and stimulate the growth of the green energy market. Currently, RECs offer federal agencies and other entities a flexible tool to meet statutory and administrative energy procurement requirements, helping reduce emissions without the complexities of procuring renewable energy directly,” said Congresswoman Brownley.
“As the single largest energy user in the United States, the federal government has a responsibility to use RECs as intended. My bill calls for federal agencies to evaluate the effectiveness of RECs and assess the extent of their use across the federal government, which will provide Congress with critical data to improve federal energy policy.
“My bill will ensure the wise and effective use of taxpayer funds, while also improving RECs market-wide and helping to build a stronger, more sustainable clean energy future.”
Under requirements in the Energy Policy Act of 2005 and the Biden Administration’s Executive Order on Catalyzing Clean Energy Industries and Jobs Through Federal Sustainability, federal agencies have worked to increase the percentage of energy they procured from climate-friendly sources. To accomplish these goals, many federal agencies turned to RECs. However, research and reporting have raised concerns that RECs may not be meaningfully reducing emissions as intended. The Renewable Energy Certificate Study Act addresses these concerns by directing the GAO to analyze the effectiveness of RECs in advancing federal clean energy objectives.
The text of the Renewable Energy Certificate Study Act can be found here.
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Issues: 119th Congress, Climate Crisis, Energy and Environment