Looking for Carbon in Renewable Energy

Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) are often viewed as a carbon offset because of the important role they plan in supporting clean energy, reducing our dependence on fossil fuels, and reducing carbon footprints. But does a REC guarantee carbon reductions? Some say RECs are a method of reducing carbon dioxide, and others believe that they support renewable energy growth but can't be explicitly tied to a quantifiable amount of carbon dioxide reduction or avoidance.

In this Ecosystem Marketplace article, former Renewable Choice employee and friend Ted Rose follows the journey thus far of a REC "from a bright idea to a traded commodity" and its role in today's carbon world. Rose examines the systems in place, looks at RECs in a Cap-and-Trade world, and discusses how the two sides can learn from each other as we continue to build the green market infrastructure. >>Read More.