Greening EPA

Green Power Purchases

EPA purchases much of its green power in the form of renewable energy certificates (RECs). Each REC represents a specific amount of electricity produced and delivered to the power grid by a renewable resource such as wind or solar power. RECs allow a purchaser to claim that its electricity comes from renewable sources with low or zero greenhouse gas emissions. Learn more about RECs on EPA’s Green Power Partnership page or view the video at right.

EPA's Blanket Green Power Contracts

EPA purchases RECs to account for 100 percent of Agencywide estimated electricity use at its 175 facilities across the country, augmented by a few direct green power contracts.

EPA currently has a contract for RECs equivalent to 100 percent of Agencywide estimated electricity use through the end of the fiscal year. Procured through Defense Logistics Agency Energy, this contract supports renewable energy generation from wind, landfill gas and biomass resources. Combined with additional contracts for delivered green power and RECs, this contract ensures that EPA has purchased green power for all of its electricity needs.

Delivered Green Power

Green power can also be purchased from an off-site provider (such as a utility company) that is connected to the same regional power pool as the purchaser. EPA facilities that participate in delivered green power programs include:

  • The Mid-Continent Ecology Division Laboratory in Duluth, Minnesota, purchases delivered wind power through Minnesota Power's WindSense program.
  • The Western Ecology Division Laboratory in Corvallis, Oregon, purchases delivered wind power through Pacific Power’s Blue Sky program.