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Green-eFrameworkforRenewableEnergyCertificationVersion1.0July7,2017

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Green-eFrameworkforRenewableEnergyCertification

Copyright©2017CenterforResourceSolutions.Allrightsreserved. 2

TableofContents

I. Introduction and Structure .............................................................................. 3A. Definitions ............................................................................................................. 4B. Use of the Framework ............................................................................................ 5C. Geographic Range of the Framework ....................................................................... 5D. Structure of the Framework .................................................................................... 6

II. Eligible Product, Customer and Market Types ................................................... 6A. Renewable Energy Product Types ............................................................................ 6B. Renewable Energy Provider and Procurement Types ................................................. 6C. Customer Type and Location ................................................................................... 7

III. Eligible Sources of Supply ............................................................................... 8A. Renewable Resource Types .................................................................................... 8B. Vintage of Eligible Renewable Generation .............................................................. 12C. Generator Age and “New Date” ............................................................................. 12

1. Generator"NewDate"Requirements....................................................................................122. Exceptionsto"NewDate"Requirements...............................................................................13

D. Location of Eligible Generators .............................................................................. 141. GeographicLocation...............................................................................................................142. ConnectiontotheGrid...........................................................................................................143. Customer-SitedGenerators....................................................................................................14

E. Electricity Products that Combine EACs and Undifferentiated Electricity .................... 15F. Emissions Limits ................................................................................................... 15G. Parasitic Load ...................................................................................................... 16

IV. Renewable Energy Product Specifications ........................................................ 16A. Fully Aggregated Renewable Energy Attributes ....................................................... 16

1. EnergyAttributeCertificates..................................................................................................162. EmissionsTradingScheme/Cap-and-TradeMechanismsforGreenhouseGasEmissions.....17

B. Regulatory Surplus: Renewable Quotas, Targets, Other Mandates and Incentives ..... 18C. Double Counting, Double Selling, and Double Claiming ........................................... 18D. Minimum Purchase Quantity ................................................................................. 19F. Criteria for the Non-Eligible Portion of a Renewable Electricity Product ..................... 20

V. Additional Criteria .......................................................................................... 20A. Third Party Verification ......................................................................................... 20B. Use of Renewable Energy Tracking Systems .......................................................... 21C. Customer Disclosure ............................................................................................. 23D. Additional Requirements for Electricity Products ..................................................... 23

1. RegulatoryApprovalofElectricityProducts...........................................................................232. PricingofElectricityProducts.................................................................................................233. MandatedRenewablesin100%RenewableElectricityProducts..........................................24

VI. Governance and Framework Revisions ............................................................ 24A. Governance ......................................................................................................... 25B. Rule Changes Impacting Existing Contracts with Participants ................................... 25

VII. Current Regional Standards Documents .......................................................... 26VIII. How to Apply for Development of Regional Standards ...................................... 26



I. IntroductionandStructureGreen-e®isacertificationprogramthatpromotestheuseofhigh-qualityrenewableelectricitybyprovidingenvironmentalstandardsandconsumerprotectiontosupportconsumers’choicetopurchaseanduserenewableelectricity.High-qualityrenewableelectricitystandardsandcertificationacceleratethedevelopmentofrenewablegenerationandrenewableelectricitymarkets,andprovideconsumersameaningfulmechanismtoexpresstheirdemandforrenewableelectricity.Green-ehassupportedconsumers’choicetouserenewableelectricitysince1997,whentheprogramwasdevelopedbytheNGOCenterforResourceSolutions(CRS).ThisGreen-eFrameworkforRenewableEnergyCertification(“Framework”)documentprovidesbaselinecriteriathatcanbeusedtodevelopGreen-ecertificationstandards(“RegionalStandards”)fordifferentregionsoftheworld.ThisFrameworkisnotacertificationstandardonitsown.CRSdevelopsRegionalStandardsbyapplyingtheFrameworkwherethereislocalstakeholderinterestanddemand,throughinteractionandconsultationwithstakeholdersandbasedonaninitialfeasibilityassessment.AfteraRegionalStandardhasbeenapprovedbytheGreen-eGovernanceBoard,CRSwillofferGreen-ecertificationinthatregion.ElectricityuserscanpurchaseandsupportGreen-ecertifiedrenewableelectricitywhereveraRegionalStandardhasbeendeveloped.RegionalStandardsaddresscountry-andregion-specificconcernsandrespondtolocalpurchasinginterest,whilemeetingthecommonsetofcriteriainthisFramework.EachRegionalStandardsetscertificationcriteriainoneormorecountries,aregionoranelectricitymarketforprovidersofrenewableelectricityorrenewableenergyattributes,andforconsumersofelectricitywhogenerateordirectlypurchaserenewableelectricity.Green-ecertifiedtransactionsmustgothroughanannualverificationprocesstoensurethattherenewablegenerationsuppliedmeetsprogramrequirements,includingthatit:

• isfromnewrenewableelectricitygenerationfacilities• meetsresource-typeeligibilityscreenstopromotesustainableenergytypes• containsalloftheenvironmentalattributesofthegenerationthatcanbeowned• meetsandexceedscriteriaforScope2greenhousegasaccountingcontainedinthe

GreenhouseGasProtocolScope2GuidancepublishedbytheWorldResourcesInstitute• fulfillstheadvertisingclaimsmadebytheseller• isnotsoldmorethanonce• isnotclaimedbymultipleelectricityend-users• isnotcountedagainstrelevantelectricitymandates

AdditionaldetailsabouttheGreen-ecertificationcriteria,theapplicationprocess,asummaryoftheverificationprocess,andproductandmarketingclaimsrequirementsareavailableatwww.green-e.org.



A. DefinitionsGreen-epublishesaglossarythatdefinesmanyofthetermsusedthroughoutthisFrameworkandotherGreen-edocuments.Theglossaryisavailableat:www.green-e.org/glossary.Certainspecificdefinitionsarealsoprovidedbelow:EnergyAttributeCertificate(“EAC”):Acontractualinstrumentthatrepresentsandconveysallattributesofrenewableelectricitygeneration,withoutrequiringthattheelectricityitselfbesoldwiththeattributes.Suchattributesinclude,butarenotlimitedto:therenewableresourcetypeusedtogeneratetheelectricity;thelocationofthegeneration;thetimeofgeneration;theairemissionsassociatedwithgeneration(i.e.theemissionsfactororrate);allotherlegallyavailableenvironmentalbenefitsofgeneration;andallotherinformationrelevanttousingandclaimingthebenefitsofgeneration.Whenageneratordeliverselectricitytothegrid,itisabletoselltheseattributesbundledtogetherintheformofanEACtoanotherpartywhodrawselectricityfromthegrid,asameansoftrackingwhoisbuyingandusingtherenewableelectricity.EACsasdefinedhereareintendedtobeconsistentwithTheWorldResourcesInstitute’sGreenhouseGasProtocolforthepurposesofgreenhousegasaccountingandScope2claims.EACsmaybegivenspecificnamesindifferentmarkets(forexample,GuaranteesofOriginintheEU),andRegionalStandardsidentifywhichEACcanbeusedintheregion.EnergyAttributeCertificateProduct:EACswhentheyareprocuredwithoutelectricityinaGreen-ecertifiedtransaction.SeealsoSectionII.A.1fordefinitionsofdifferentRenewableEnergyProducttypes.NotethatinmarketswhereEACsexist,theymustbeusedtosubstantiatethedeliveryofanytypeofrenewableelectricityprogramorrenewableenergypurchase,notonlyEACProducts.Participant:EntitiesprovidingGreen-ecertifiedrenewableenergyproducts(eithertootherentitiesortothemselves)arereferredtoas“Participants”inthisFramework.Participantsmaybeelectricityserviceproviders,sellersofrenewableenergyattributecertificates,theprovidersorpurchasersunderarenewableelectricitypowerpurchaseagreementsorentitiesundertakingothermeansofprocuringandconsumingrenewableelectricity;seeSectionII.Bforfurtherdetails.EachParticipantmusthaveoneormorecontractswithCRSinorderfortheirRenewableEnergyProductstobeGreen-ecertified.OnlyParticipantsmaymarketandsellRenewableEnergyProductsasGreen-ecertified.UnlessspecificallypermittedbyCRS,marketingrenewableenergyasGreen-e“eligible”or“certifiable”(orusingsimilarwordsthatimplycertificationwhereitdoesnotexist)isnotallowed.RenewableEnergyProducts:TherenewableenergyprocurementoptionscertifiedbyParticipantsunderRegionalStandardsarecollectivelyreferredtoas“RenewableEnergyProducts”inthisFramework.SeeSectionsII.AandII.Bfordetailsofwhichproducttypesareeligible.RenewableEnergyProductsincludeallEACProductsandrenewableelectricityprogramsofferedbyanelectricityserviceprovider.NotethatEACProductsandrenewableelectricityprograms/productsaredistinctandmaybesubjecttodifferentrulesintheFrameworkandRegionalStandards.



Region:Thespecificcountry,countries,contiguousgeographicarea,orelectricitymarketwhereGreen-ecertifiedRenewableEnergyProductsareintendedtobeofferedunderaRegionalStandard.TheboundariesofaRegionmaybedefinedbyconsistentorcompatibleelectricityregulationacrossmultiplejurisdictions,areasofinterconnectedelectricitytransmissionand/ortrading,governmentalboundariesorotherpracticalboundaries.Forexample,IcelandcouldbeconsideredpartoftheEUelectricitymarket,orIndonesiamaybetreatedasonemarket,despitealackofphysicalinterconnectionwithotherpartsofthemarket.RegionboundariesaredeterminedbyCRSandtheGreen-eGovernanceBoardwithstakeholderinputduringtheRegionalStandarddevelopmentprocess.RegionalStandard:AsetofcriteriaforGreen-ecertificationthatisdevelopedunderthisFrameworkforaspecificcountry(orcountries),geographicareaorelectricitymarket,servingasacertificationstandardforthatRegion.ReportingYear:Thecalendaryear(January1–December31)inwhichaGreen-ecertifiedRenewableEnergyProductisprovidedtoanelectricityuser.Forcertifiedrenewableelectricityproducts(SectionII.A.2),thisistheyearthattheelectricityisdeliveredtoacustomer.ForcertifiedEnergyAttributeCertificates(SectionII.A.1),thisisgenerallythecalendaryearofelectricityusetowhichthecustomerwishestoapplythecertificates.SalesanduseofGreen-ecertifiedRenewableEnergyProductsareverifiedannuallybasedontheirReportingYear.Regionalverificationruleswillcontaininstructionsonwhentoreportsalesanduse.

B. UseoftheFramework TheFrameworkcontainsrulesthatareusedasabaselinetodevelopRegionalStandards.TherulesintheFrameworkareapplicabletoalleligibleRenewableEnergyProducttypes,customertypesandareasoftheworld.StakeholderfeedbackduringthedevelopmentofeachRegionalStandardwilladdresstheapplicationoftheFrameworkcriteriatotheregionalcontext.ARegionalStandardmaycontaincriteriathatarestricterthantheminimumrequirementscontainedinthisFrameworkand/oraddothercriteriaimportantformeetingtheintentoftheGreen-eprogram.TheFrameworkisnotacertificationdocument;certificationcanonlybegrantedbyCRSunderanapprovedRegionalStandard.IntheeventofanyconflictbetweentheEnglishversionofanyGreen-edocumentandatranslatedversion,theEnglishversionshallprevail.

C. GeographicRangeoftheFrameworkAnyRegion—country(orcountries),geographicarea,orelectricitymarket—iseligibleforconsiderationundertheFrameworksolongasallapplicablerulescanbemet.CRS,whichadministersGreen-e,reservesthesolerighttodeterminewhethertopursuethedevelopmentandapprovalofaRegionalStandardinaparticularRegion.



D. StructureoftheFrameworkCriteriaforRenewableEnergyProducteligibilityarecontainedinSectionsII–V,whichprovidebroadrulesthateachRegionalStandardmustuseasabasisforthedevelopmentofspecificcriteriathatareapplicabletotheRegion.GovernanceandthetreatmentofupdatestotheFrameworkaredescribedinSectionVI.CurrentRegionalStandarddocumentsarereferencedinSectionVII.GuidanceforhownewRegionalStandardswillbedevelopedisprovidedinSectionVIII.II. EligibleProduct,CustomerandMarketTypes

A. RenewableEnergyProductTypes

ThefollowingRenewableEnergyProducttypesmaybeGreen-ecertified,wherelegallyavailableintheRegionanduponapprovalbytheGreen-eGovernanceBoardforuseinaRegionalStandard.InRegionswhereEnergyAttributeCertificatesarethemeansofowning,trackingandclaimingrenewableelectricityuse,suchEnergyAttributeCertificatesmustbeincludedinallRenewableEnergyProducttypesofferedinthatRegion.

1. RenewableEnergyAttributes(includingwhensoldasEnergyAttributeCertificates):Saleoruseoftheattributesofrenewableelectricitygenerationthatareprovidedindependentlyfromthedeliveryofelectricity,wheresuchattributesarethelegallyenforceablewaytodemonstratetheownership,transferandend-useofrenewableelectricitywithintheRegion.AllEnergyAttributeCertificateProductsfallunderthiscategory.ExamplesincludeGuaranteesofOriginintheEuropeanUnionandRenewableEnergyCertificatesintheU.S.

2. RenewableElectricityProducts:Productswhereelectricityandrenewableenergyattributesaredeliveredtogether,asasingleproductorelectricitytariff.Examplesincludevoluntaryrenewableelectricityprogramsofferedbyanelectricityserviceproviderorrenewableelectricitypowerpurchaseagreements.SeeSectionIII.EforinformationonwhenEACsthathavebeenpurchasedbytheParticipantseparatelyfromelectricitymaybeusedincertifiedRenewableElectricityProducts.

B. RenewableEnergyProviderandProcurementTypes

AnelectricityusercanobtainaGreen-ecertifiedRenewableEnergyProductthroughanyofthefollowingprocurementtypes,allofwhichrequirethattherenewableattributesbeconveyedtothecustomerclaimingtouserenewableelectricity:



1. Electricserviceproviders,including:

a. incumbent/monopolyelectricityserviceproviders,suchasastate-ownedelectricityprovider

b. electricityserviceprovidersinaderegulatedorcompetitiveelectricitymarket,whereelectricityusersmaychoosetheirelectricityserviceproviders

2. Providersofrenewableenergyattributes(e.g.EACs)separatefromelectricityservice.

Suchprovidersmaybeelectricityserviceprovidersalso,orcompaniesthatproviderenewableenergyattributesbutnotelectricityservice.

3. Procurementdirectlyfromageneratorthatisnotownedbytheelectricityuser.Either

thegeneratorownerorthepurchasermaysignuptocertifytheRenewableEnergyProduct.Suchprocurementmaytaketheformof:

a. PowerPurchaseAgreements(contractsdirectlybetweenanelectricityuserandageneratororageneratoroperator)

b. Leasedgenerationequipmentthatisinstalledonpropertyownedbytheelectricityuser

c. Sharedrenewablesprograms,wherebyelectricityconsumerspurchasesharesofarenewablegenerationfacility,orotherformsofsharingtheoutputofafacility,suchascommunityrenewablesprograms

4. Self-useofrenewableelectricityproducedbyuser-ownedgenerationequipment.The

electricityusermaysignuptocertifytheirownRenewableEnergyProductthattheywillusethemselvesandnotselltoothers.Self-useoptionsinclude:

a. Theelectricityuserconsumingelectricityfromanon-sitegeneratorthattheyown

b. Theelectricityuserconsumingelectricityfromageneratorthattheyownthatislocatedatadifferentlocationfromtheelectricityuse,wherethereisadirectelectricalconnectionbetweentheuserandthegenerator(sometimescalledan“overthefence”arrangementora“directline”connection)

C. CustomerTypeandLocation

Bydefault,allRegionalStandardsallowGreen-ecertifiedRenewableEnergyProductstobesoldtonon-residential/commercial/industrialelectricityconsumers.



CertifiedRenewableEnergyProductsmayonlybesoldtoresidentialconsumers1inRegionswhereGreen-ehasissuedmarketingguidanceandcompliancerequirementsforresidentialsales.2Green-ewillonlycertifythewholesalesale(i.e.toanentityotherthanaretailelectricityuser)ofRenewableEnergyProductsifthereismarketrelevance,demand,andbenefit.RenewableEnergyProductspurchasedinGreen-ecertifiedwholesalesalescannotbemarketedorresoldasGreen-ecertifiedunlesstheresellerhasitsowncontractwithCRStosellaGreen-ecertifiedRenewableEnergyProduct.Regardingcustomerlocation,Green-eintendsthatelectricityconsumersmayclaimtobeusingrenewableelectricityiftheypurchaseaRenewableEnergyProductthatiscertifiedundertheirRegion’sRegionalStandard.Green-edoesnotendorserenewableelectricityusageclaimsbasedonpurchasesofRenewableEnergyProductscertifiedundertheRegionalStandardofaRegionotherthanthatinwhichtheconsumerislocated.However,Green-edoesnotspecificallypreventsalesmadetocustomerslocatedoutsideoftheareaofaRegionalStandard. III. EligibleSourcesofSupply

ThefollowingcriteriaapplytoallGreen-ecertifiedRenewableEnergyProducts.Inaddition,RegionalStandardsspecifyanyrequirementsrelatedtothesocialandenvironmentalimpactsofprojectsinthatRegion.Basedonlocalpracticesandissues,stakeholderfeedback,ormarketdevelopmentgoals,RegionalStandardsmayrequirethatcertaingeneratorsorresourcetypesarecertifiedbyanindependentsustainabilitycertificationbodythatismorerelevanttotheRegion.

A. RenewableResourceTypesThefollowingtypesofrenewableelectricityresourcesareeligibletobeusedinGreen-ecertifiedRenewableEnergyProducts.Energysourcesotherthanelectricityarenoteligible(e.g.solarwaterheatingorwasteheatrecoveryfromfossilfuelcombustion).RegionalStandardsmaydefinefurthercriteriaforanyoftheseresources:

1. Solar,includingphotovoltaicandsolarthermalelectric2. Wind3. Geothermal

1Ingeneral,residential(ordomestic,ornon-commercial)electricityconsumersequatetoelectricitymetersthatareassociatedwithspacesusedprimarilyasdwellingsratherthanthoseusedforbusinessactivities.SpecificdefinitionsofdifferentcustomertypesareprovidedinRegionalStandardsasnecessary,basedonlocaldefinitionsandpractices.2TheexistenceofmarketingguidancewillbenotedintheapplicableRegionalStandard.



4. Ocean-basedenergycapturedthroughtidal,wave,oroceanthermalenergyconversiontechnologies,iflocatedinanareawithpermittingprocessesspecifictotheparticularoceanresourcetypeatthetimeofconstruction,orifthegeneratorisreviewedandapprovedbytheGreen-eGovernanceBoardpriortothegenerator’soutputbeingusedinaGreen-ecertifiedRenewableEnergyProduct

5. Hydropowerthatis:a. eithernotonanimpoundmentorisgenerationcapacitythatwasaddedtoan

impoundmentthatexistedbeforetheapplicableNewDate(seeSectionIII.C)b. aturbineinapipeline,irrigationcanal,orotherconduitaslongasanyenergy

usedtocreatetheflowofwater/hydrostaticpressureisprimarilyfornon-energypurposessuchastransportingpotablewater,irrigation,orwastetransport,andnotforcreatingenergystorage

IncrementaloutputduetoefficiencyupgradesforhydropowermeetingeithercriterionabovemaybeallowedifcriteriaandamethodforvalidationaredevelopedandapprovedfortheapplicableRegionalStandard.

6. Solid,liquid,andgaseousformsofbiomassmustameetorexceedthecriteriainitemsa.–g.belowasapplicable.Inaddition,RegionalStandardsmustincludedefinitionsofeligiblebiomassbasedonfeedbackfromstakeholders,includinglocalenvironmentalstakeholders.3Green-estrivestopromotebiomassresourcesthat,onatotalfuelcyclebasis,donotincreaseatmosphericgreenhousegasconcentrationsintimeframesthataremeaningfulinaddressingglobalclimatechange.Green-ereservestherighttoexcludebiomassfuelsfromaRegionalStandardifitisdeterminedthatmeetingtheintentoftheGreen-eprogramcannotbesubstantiallyensuredthroughexistinginfrastructureandcompliancetoolsinaparticularregion,orifitisdeterminedthattheinclusionofsuchcriteriadoesnotsignificantlyadvancetheintendedmarketimpactoftheFrameworkorRegionalStandard.

a. Woodywaste,includingbutnotlimitedtoresiduessuchastopsandlimbsand

urbanwoodwaste,ifadverseenvironmentimpactsaresatisfactorilyaddressedinaRegionalStandard,iseligibleifthefollowingrequirementsaremet:

i. Thefuelcontains1%orlessbyBTUvalueofthefollowing:paints,plastics,Formica,halogens,chlorine,orhalidecompoundslikechromatedcopperarsenate–treatedmaterials,arsenic,andothercontaminatingtreatments.

ii. Forforestry-derivedfuelstobeeligible,aRegionalStandardmustaddressoverallsustainabilityofthefuel,forexamplethrough

3Green-ereservestherighttorequireadditionaldocumentationtoverifyeligibilityofanyresource.Insomeinstances,third-partycertificationmaybeusedtodemonstrateeligibility.Green-estaffwillevaluatewhetherornotsuchadditionaldocumentationandcertificationsareadequate.



requirementsthatareconsistentwithrecognizedthird-partyforestryandbiomasscertifications,suchastheRoundtableonSustainableBiomaterials,ForestStewardshipCouncil,orequivalent.Suchfuelsmustalso:1. originatefromforeststhatweremanagedinaccordancewithState,

Provincial,orNational(orequivalentrelevantadministrativejurisdiction)bestmanagementpracticesandregulations;and

2. havebeenremovedinaccordancewithState,ProvincialorNational(orequivalentrelevantadministrativejurisdiction)bestmanagementpracticesandregulation

iii. Thefuelisnotderivedfromwholetreesunlessatleastoneofthefollowingismet:1. Thewholetreesareurbanwoodwaste2. Thewholetreesarethinningsrequiredforroadmaintenanceof

existingroadsandsuchroadsarenotonlegallyprotectedlands,areasthatpossessorenhanceidentifiedconservationvalues,UNESCOWorldHeritagesites,Ramsarsites,IUCNProtectedAreasTypes1&2,AllianceforZeroExtinctionsites,oranylegallyprotectedareas.Nowoodybiomassfromroad-buildingactivityiseligible

3. Thewholetreesarealreadydownednaturallyorkillednaturallybywind,storms,fire,pests,orpathogens

4. Anindependent,third-party,qualifiedinsustainableforestrymanagementandchainofcustodyissues,certifiesthatthewholetreesarenotsourcedfromlegallyprotectedlands,areasthatpossessorenhanceidentifiedconservationvalues,UNESCOWorldHeritagesites,Ramsarsites,IUCNProtectedAreasTypes1&2,AllianceforZeroExtinctionsites,oranylegallyprotectedareas,andarepartofathinningplanthatimprovestheecologyintermsofnaturalforeststructure,protectionofbiodiversity,andecosystemfunctionofthesurroundingarea

5. Anindependent,third-partyentity,qualifiedinsustainableforestrymanagementandchainofcustodyissues,certifiesthatwholetreesderivedfromplantationsarenotfromplantations4thatwereestablishedonlandconvertedfromanyotherforestafter2012,5andthatthethinningimprovestheecology,biodiversity,andecosystemfunctionoftheforestandsurroundingarea

4Plantationisdefinedas:Astandoftreesmaintainedbyplantingorartificialseeding,grownforthepurposeofharvest.5Iflandwasaplantationpriorto2012butisnolongerbeingmanagedasaplantation(e.g.themajorityofexistingtreeshavebeenregeneratednaturally),itdoesnotqualifyunderthisprovisionandmustbeevaluatedunderSectionIII.A.6.a.iii.4immediatelyabove.



b. Agriculturalcropresiduethatisunmerchantableasfood(orasanimalfeed).ForthepurposesofthisFramework,atreeisnotanagriculturalcrop6

c. Allanimalandotherorganicwaste,includingwasteandresiduesofbiologicaloriginfromagriculture(includingvegetalandanimalsubstances)andfromforestryandrelatedindustrieswherenototherwiseexpresslyprohibitedintheFrameworkoraRegionalStandard7

d. Energycropsthathavearotationlessthan10yearsandmeetatleastoneofthebelowcriteria:

i. grownonagriculturallandnotinuseforfoodproductioninthelasttwoyears

ii. grownonagriculturallandinawaythatdoesnotdisplacefoodproduction

e. Landfillgasandwastewatermethane8f. Waste-to-energy(WTE)technologiesthatusebiogenicresourcesandthatare

matureintheRegion.RegionalStandardsmustincludecriteriatoaddresstheenvironmentalimpactsofWTEtechnologies.MunicipalsolidwasteisspecificallyexcludedfromeligibilityandfromWTEtechnologiesthatwillbeconsidered.9

g. Thefollowingbiogenicresourcesareexcludedfromeligibilityinallcases:i. resourcesdirectlyrelatedtopalmoilproduction(e.g.palmoil,biogenic

material)ii. agriculturalcropsandanimalfeediii. railroadtiesandutilitypoles

7. Biodiesel(B100),biomethane,biogas,bioethanol,greendiesel,orsyngasthatareused

togenerateelectricity.Feedstockusedtomakebiofuelmusteitherbewastethatisnolongersuitableormerchantableforitsprimarypurpose,suchaswastevegetableoil,orsomeotherfeedstockwhoseenergyandcarbonbalanceisdemonstrablyfavorable.AllfeedstocksmustqualifyunderthecriterialistedunderSectionIII.A.6above.Biogasmaybeproducedatanytimepriortoelectricitygeneration,butallrenewableelectricitymustmeettherequirementsinSectionIII.B,below.Biogasfromasharedpipelineis

6Forexample,cropsintendedforhumanconsumptionbutdamagedbydroughtorstormswouldqualify,ascouldcropswithanon-energyprimarypurpose,suchaswastefromanimalfeedproduction.Green-edoesnotconsideratreeanagriculturalcrop.7Inthecasethatabiogenicmethanecaptureanddestructionproject(suchasadairyburningbiogasproducedbyananimalwastedigester)isreceivingcarbonoffsetsforthedestructionofmethane,renewableelectricitygeneratedusingtheheatofcombustionofsuchmethaneareeligibleunderthisFrameworksolongasthecalculationofcarbonoffsetsdoesnotincludetheenvironmentalbenefitsarisingfromgenerationofrenewableelectricityorofbackingdowngenerationelsewhereonthegrid.Green-estaffreservetherighttorequestoffsetcalculationmethodologiesofsuchprojects.8BiomethanethatisusedtogenerateelectricityiseligibleforGreen-eprovidedthatthefacilitygeneratingtheelectricitycomplieswithallapplicablelaws,regulations,andordinances,andmeetsalloftheairpollution,groundwater,andeffluentrequirementsoftheareainwhichtheprojectissited. 9Municipalsolidwasteisdefinedasmixedgarbageandotherwastematerialsgeneratedbyindividualsandbusinesses,butexcludingsewage,industrialandagriculturalwaste,andconstructionanddemolitionwaste.



eligibleonlyifitcanbedemonstratedthatallenvironmentalattributesareappropriatelytransferredalongthechainofcustody. Biofuelsblendedwithpetroleumdieselarepermittedifallofthefollowingconditionsaremet:

i. Thebiofuelisseparatelymeasured(andverified)fromthepetroleumdieselii. Green-eisabletoverifythatthebiofuelwasconvertedtoelectricityiii. Co-firingrequirementsinSectionIII.C.1.daremet

8. FuelcellsareeligibleonlyifpoweredbyfuelsderivedfromoneormoreoftheeligiblerenewableresourcesinthisSectionIII.A,wherefuelproduction,delivery,andusecanbeverified.

B. VintageofEligibleRenewableGeneration

AGreen-ecertifiedRenewableEnergyProductmayincludeonlyrenewableelectricityandEACsthataregeneratedin:thecalendaryearinwhichthecertifiedRenewableEnergyProductissold(calledthe“ReportingYear,”seeSectionI.Aforamoredetaileddefinition),thesixmonthspriortotheReportingYear,orthethreemonthsfollowingtheReportingYear.IftherearelawsinaRegionorcompellingmarketreasonsassessedthroughstakeholderprocessesthatdemandashorterperiod(e.g.generationoccurringonlyintheReportingYear),thismaybeallowedinaRegionalStandard.

C. GeneratorAgeand“NewDate”InorderfortheoutputofageneratortobeusedinaGreen-ecertifiedRenewableEnergyProductinaparticularReportingYear,thegeneratormusthavefirstcomeonline(III.C.1.a)orundergonecertainchanges(III.C.1.b-e)withinthepast15calendaryears(inclusiveoftheReportingYear).Thetimelimitforaneligiblegeneratorisreferredtoasthe“NewDate.”Forexample,theNewDateapplicabletoreportingyear2017is2003,andtheNewDateforreportingyear2018is2004,andsoon.

1. Generator"NewDate"RequirementsAgeneratormustmeetatleastoneofthefollowingconditionsinrelationtotheNewDatethatappliestotheReportingYear:

a. Thegeneratorwasplacedinoperation(generatingelectricity,includingtestelectricityputontotheelectricitygrid)onoraftertheapplicableNewDate

b. ThegeneratorisaseparableimprovementtoorenhancementofanexistingoperatingelectricitygenerationfacilitythatwasfirstplacedinoperationpriortotheapplicableNewDate,suchthattheproposedincrementalgenerationiscontractuallyavailableforsaleandmeteredseparatelyfromthepre-existinggenerationatthefacility



c. Thegeneratorperformeda100%switchfromanon-eligiblefueltoaneligiblefuelonoraftertheapplicableNewDate

d. Thegeneratorbeganco-firingeligiblefuelswithnon-eligiblefuelsonoraftertheapplicableNewDate.InthiscaseonlytheelectricityoutputattributabletotheeligiblefueliseligibleforuseinacertifiedRenewableEnergyProduct.CalculationandverificationmethodologiesmustbeapprovedbytheGreen-eGovernanceBoardinorderforco-firingtobeusedinaRegionalStandard

e. ThegeneratorwasrepoweredonoraftertheapplicableNewDate.RepoweringassessmentandverificationmethodologiesmustbeapprovedbytheGreen-eGovernanceBoardinorderforrepoweringtobeusedinaRegionalStandard

2. Exceptionsto"NewDate"Requirements

Long-termpurchasesoruseofrenewableelectricityorEACsmaybeallowedtoremaineligibleforthefullcontracttermor30years,whicheverisshorter,wherethepurchasecontractswereexecutedbetweenthegeneratorandpurchaserofthecertifiedRenewableEnergyProductnolaterthan12monthsafterthedatethatageneratorfirstmetoneofcriteriaa.–e.aboveandwherethecontracttermextendsbeyond15years.Iftherearecompelling,data-supportedreasonswhychangingthe15-yearNewDateisrequiredformarketgrowthandsustainability,theGreen-eGovernanceBoardmayapprovesuchadifferentNewDateinaRegionalStandard.ExamplesincludeaNewDatethat:

a. isshorterorlongerthan15yearsb. isafixedyearthatremainsthesameeachReportingYear,untiltheoldestallowable

generatoris15yearsold,afterwhichtherollingdateisused10c. allowsanannuallyincreasingproportionofgenerationtocomefromgeneratorsthat

meettheNewDatecriteria11d. Treatscertaintypesofresources,generatorsorcontractsdifferently

10Forexample,ifpolicieswereadoptedintheRegionallowingvoluntarysalesofEACsstartingin2010,thenaRegionmightwishtosettheNewDateas2010untilgeneratorsthatcameonlineinthatyeararemorethan15yearsold.Inthisscenario,theNewDatewouldbe2010until2024,andthenstartingin2025theNewDatewouldbe2011anditwouldincreasebyoneyearwitheachyearthatpasses,andagreeingwiththeNewDatetableabove.11Forexample,certifiedsalesmadein2018yearmustcontainatleast(forexample)20%renewablegenerationfromfacilitieswithcommercialonlinedatesof2004orlater,withtheremaining80%ofrenewablegenerationcomingfromeligiblegeneratorsthatcameonlineatanytime.In2019,40%ofgenerationwouldcomefromfacilitieswithcommercialonlinedatesof2005orlater,andeachyeartheproportionwouldriseuntil100%ofsupplycamefromgeneratorsmeetingtheNewDateagecriteria.



D. LocationofEligibleGenerators

1. GeographicLocationGeneratorsprovidingelectricityorattributesforcertifiedRenewableEnergyProducts(seeSectionII.A.2)mustbelocatedwithintheRegion.However,thefollowingtworulesmaybeappliedifthereisstakeholdersupportandapprovalbytheGreen-eGovernanceBoard:

a. GeneratorslocatedoutsideoftheRegionmaybeallowedaseligibleifthereistransmissiongridintegrationwiththeRegion,cross-borderpowertransmissionand/ortradingwiththeRegionisdeemedsufficient,andallotherrequirementsoftheRegionalStandardcanbemet.

b. RegionalStandardsmaydefineelectricity-sourcingboundariesthataremoregeographicallyconstrained—forexample,limitingelectricitysourcingtocertainsub-Regionsandrequiringthatcustomersbeservedbyelectricitygeneratedintheirsamesub-Region.

2. ConnectiontotheGrid

a. RenewableEnergyProductsthataresoldbyaParticipanttoanotherentityAlleligiblegeneratorsmustbeconnectedtoanelectricitygrid(thiscouldincludeconnectiontoamicrogridthatisabletoconnecttothegrid).Generatorsthatarenotconnectedtoagridarenoteligible.GeneratorsthatarepartofamicrogridthatisnotconnectedtothegridmayonlybeusedforcertifiedRenewableEnergyProductssoldtoconsumersinthesamemicrogrid.

b. RenewableEnergyProductsusedandcertifiedbytheParticipantitselfAlleligiblegeneratorsmustmeetatleastoneofthefollowingcriteria:

i. Beelectricallyconnectedtoagridii. BepartofamicrogridtowhichtheParticipantisconnectediii. BeelectricallyconnectedonlytotheParticipant(includingwhentheParticipant

isnotconnectedtothegrid).Thegeneratormaybecustomer-sited

3. Customer-SitedGeneratorsCustomer-sited(includingbehind-the-meter)generatorsareeligiblefor:

a. Certifiedon-siteuseb. CertifiedRenewableEnergyProductssoldtooff-siteelectricityusers.Thefollowing

typesofgenerationfromcustomer-sitegeneratorscanbeeligible,andmaybetreateddifferentlyinagivenRegionalStandard:



i. Excessgenerationthatisexportedtothegridandmeteredatthepointofgridinterconnection

ii. Generatedelectricitythatisphysicallyconsumedbythecustomerwherethecustomerisnotmakingclaimsontherenewableelectricityorrenewableenergyattributes

SeealsoSectionIV.Conclaims.

E. ElectricityProductsthatCombineEACsandUndifferentiatedElectricity ThissectionappliestomarketswhereEACsarethelegallyenforceablemeanstoconveyrenewableelectricitydeliveryandusageclaims.Ifallofthefollowingconditionsaremet,thenEACsareallowedtobecombinedwithundifferentiatedelectricityorsystemmixelectricityforsaleasacertifiedrenewableelectricityproduct.

1. FortheelectricitydeliveredwiththeEACs,theemissionratesperkWhforSO2,NOx,andCO2donotexceedthelowerof:

a. Theaverageemissionratesoftheconsumer’selectricityserviceprovider;orb. Theaverageemissionratesofthegeographicallysmallerterritoryoftheaffected

countryorRegion2. TheelectricitydeliveredwiththeEACscannotincludeanyspecificpurchasesofnuclear

powerinthenon-renewableportionoftheRenewableEnergyProduct,beyondwhatiscontainedinsystempower(e.g.theRenewableEnergyProductmaynotincludedifferentiatednuclearpower)

3. FortheelectricityfromwhichtheEACswerederived,thereareprocesses,policiesand/orothermethodsinplacewiththeelectricityserviceproviderand/orbytherelevantgovernmententity(orentities)assuringthatsuchelectricityisnotmarketedorrepresentedasrenewableelectricitythatisdeliveredtoretailelectricityusers.

Ifcriteria1.–3.abovecannotbemet,thentheRenewableEnergyProductwilleitherneedtobemarketedasarenewableenergyattributeproductortheParticipantmustpurchaseboththeelectricityandEACsfromthegeneratorandprovidebothtothecustomer.

F. EmissionsLimitsAllgeneratorsmustbeincompliancewithallapplicablelocal,sub-national,national,andregionallaws/rulesregardingemissionslimitsandotherrelevantemissions-relatedcriteriaintheRegion.



G. ParasiticLoadRenewableelectricitygeneratedandthenconsumedbythegenerator,withoutbeingdeliveredtothegrid,aspartoftheelectricitygenerationprocess(i.e.parasiticload)isnoteligible.IV. RenewableEnergyProductSpecifications

A. FullyAggregatedRenewableEnergyAttributesTotheextentallowableundertheRegion’slegalandregulatorystructures,allattributesthatareassociatedwiththeelectricitygenerationandthatcanbeownedmustbeincludedinacertifiedRenewableEnergyProduct.Theremustbealegallyenforceablecontract,instrument(suchasanEnergyAttributeCertificate),orcollectionofcontractsand/orinstrumentsinplacetosubstantiatetheexchangeandexclusiveownershipoftheattributesofrenewableelectricitygeneration.Theseattributesinclude,butarenotlimitedto,allthegreenhousegas(GHG)emissionbenefitsassociatedwiththemegawatt-hour(MWh)ofrenewableelectricitywhenitwasgenerated,includingavoidedCO2benefits.Arenewableelectricitygeneratorcreatingcarbonoffsetsandrenewableelectricityforthesameelectricalgenerationmustretireanequivalentamountofitsownoffsetsfromthesamemonitoringperiodastheelectricitygenerationinorderforitsrenewableelectricity/EACstobeeligible.WhereitisnotlegallypossibletoincludeanattributeinaRenewableEnergyProduct,12theRegionalStandardmayestablishthattheinclusionofsuchanattributeisnotrequired.Inthiscase,theParticipantmayneedtodisclosethattheparticularattributeisnotincludedintheirpurchase.DetailsonclaimsanddisclosureswouldbedetailedinmarketingguidelinesfortheRegion.

1. EnergyAttributeCertificatesEnergyAttributesCertificates(orsimilarcontractualinstruments)mustbeincludedandretired/cancelledbyoronbehalfofthepurchaserofaGreen-ecertifiedRenewableEnergyProduct,inallcaseswheresuchcertificatesareusedtoconveytheattributesofspecifiedrenewableelectricitygenerationorusedtootherwisetransactrenewableelectricityfordeliveryandusageclaims/reportingorforcompliancewitharenewableenergymandateortarget(foranyorallattributes).

12Forexample,ifaRegionhaspoliciesorinstrumenttradingprogramsthathavetheeffectofpreventingacertainattributefrombeingowned,causingthevalueofacertainattributetobe0,affectingthevalueofacertainattributeorrequiringthatacertainattributebesoldtoanotherparty.



Whereseparatecertificatesorinstrumentsarecreatedfordifferentattributesofrenewableelectricitygeneration,allinstruments(orthesameamountthatwascreatedbytheelectricitygeneration)mustbeobtainedandretiredonbehalfoftheGreen-ecertifiedRenewableEnergyProduct.InRegionswherecertificatesarenotissuedtooronbehalfofthegeneratorandthereisnotrackingsystem(seeSectionV.B)available,theattributesofgenerationmustbeassignedbycontracttothebuyerofaRenewableEnergyProductinorderforsuchageneratoranditsoutputtobeeligibleforuseinacertifiedRenewableEnergyProduct.

2. EmissionsTradingScheme/Cap-and-TradeMechanismsforGreenhouseGasEmissions

WheretheGHGemissionsfromtheelectricitysectorareregulatedthroughaprogramthatislegallybinding,13itmustbedemonstratedhoweligiblerenewablegenerationeitheraffectsgridemissionsundersuchaGHGemissionsregulationormaintainsitsfullavoidedcarbonvaluethroughsomeothermechanism:

a. RegionalStandardsmaynotrequireParticipanttotakefurtheractionrelatedtotheavoidedgridGHGemissionsbenefitoftherenewableelectricitywhereitcanbedemonstratedthattheeffectofeligiblevoluntaryrenewableelectricitygenerationongridemissionswasincludedineither:

i. Calculationofthecap;orii. Theemissionreductionbaselineuponwhichemissionsreductionrequirements

arebased.b. IftheGHGemissionsregulationhasanaccountingmechanismthatretiresCO2

emissionsallowancesonbehalfofvoluntaryRenewableEnergyProductsalesandtransactions,thentheaccountingmechanismmustbeusedbytheParticipant.

c. Ifneithera.norb.applies,thentheParticipantmust:i. Retire/cancelallowancesorothersimilarGHGemissionscompliance

instrumentsfromthesameGHGemissionsregulation,wheresuchcomplianceinstrumentsareavailabletotheParticipantorelectricityconsumer;or

ii. IfspecificallyallowedintheRegionalStandard,retire/cancelGreen-eClimatecertifiedoffsets.

Othermechanismsand/oractionsmaybealloweddependingonstakeholderfeedback,theRegion’spolicies,andtheapprovaloftheGreen-eGovernanceBoard.

13Examplesmightincludeemissionstradingschemes,cap-and-tradepolicies,ordirectregulationofemissions,whicharelegallybindingthroughvoluntaryagreement,laworregulation.



B. RegulatorySurplus:RenewableQuotas,Targets,OtherMandatesandIncentives

Green-ecertifiedRenewableEnergyProductsmustbesourcedfromgeneratorsandgenerationthatarenotcountedfor,orattributedto,arequirementormandateassociatedwithspecificpolicyorprogrammechanismscoveringthepowersector.DetailsoninteractionswithaRegion’sparticularpolicymechanismsareprovidedintheRegionalStandard.Examplesofcircumstancesthatcauseageneratororgenerationtobeineligibleinclude,butarenotlimitedto:

1. Constructionofthegeneratorwasrequiredbylawortheresultofalegalsettlement.2. Arenewableelectricityquotasystem(e.g.RenewablePortfolioStandard)countsthe

generationorcapacitytowardthequota.3. Electricityrates,electricitytariffs,financialincentivesorotherincentivesthatrequire

thattherenewableelectricity(orassociatedcertificatesorattributes)beusedorcountedtowardsagovernmentalprogramthatismeanttoincreaseallconsumers’useofrenewableelectricity.

Solongasthereisnoconflictwith1.–3.above,generationmaybeeligiblewhenitis:

• Inexcessofagovernmentmandateorquota;or• Fromgeneratorsthatobtaintaxorfinancialincentivepaymentsforconstructionor

generation(asopposedtorenewableelectricityuseorsale);or• Countedtowardanon-bindingnational,regional,orlocalrenewableenergygoal,

includingaproduction-orcapacity-basedaspirationorgoalassociatedwithaprogramorpolicy.

SeealsoSectionV.D.3:MandatedRenewablesin100%RenewableElectricityProducts.

C. DoubleCounting,DoubleSelling,andDoubleClaimingEligiblerenewableelectricityandanyassociatedattributescanbeappliedtoelectricityend-useonlyonce.Makingarenewableelectricityconsumptionclaimisoneexampleofa“use.”14RenewableelectricityorattributesthatcanbereasonablyattributedtoapartyotherthantheuserofacertifiedRenewableEnergyProductmaynotbeusedinGreen-ecertifiedRenewableEnergyProducts.Examplesofprohibiteddoubleusesinclude,butarenotlimitedto,when:

1. Thesamegenerationorattributesaresoldtomorethanoneparty,oranycasewhereanotherpartyhasaconflictingcontractfortheattributesortherenewableelectricity;

14Forfurtherresourcesondoubleclaims,seehttps://resource-solutions.org/learn/rec-claims-and-ownership/



2. Thesamegenerationorattributesareclaimedbymorethanoneparty,includinganyexpressedorimpliedenvironmentalclaimsmadeinrelationto:electricitycomingfromarenewableelectricityresource;environmentallabeling;ordisclosurerequirements.Thisincludesrepresentingtoconsumersthattheelectricityfromwhichattributesarederivedisrenewable(whentheattributesarenotalsoprovidedtotheconsumers);15

3. Thesamegenerationorattributesareusedbyanelectricityserviceproviderorotherentitytomeetadeliveryorconsumptionmandateforrenewableenergyandisalsousedtosupplycertifiedsales,transactions,orconsumptionunderGreen-e(seeSectionIV.B);or

4. Anotherpartyusesofoneormoreattributesoftherenewableelectricity(seeSectionIV.A).ThisincludeswhengenerationorassociatedattributesaresoldasaRenewableEnergyProducttooneparty,andwhenoneormoreattributesassociatedwiththesamegeneration(suchasCO2reductionoroffset)aresoldtoanotherparty.

Green-erequiresallParticipantstonotifyallrelevantgovernmentagency(ies)inwriting,atleastannually,ofallgenerationusedinGreen-ecertifiedRenewableEnergyProducts.Arenewableenergytrackingsystemorotherinfrastructurethatalreadyprovidesthisinformationtotherelevantagency(ies)maysatisfythisrequirementuponapprovalbytheGreen-eGovernanceBoard.

D. MinimumPurchaseQuantityGreen-ecertifiedRenewableEnergyProductssoldtoresidentialelectricityconsumersmustcontainatleastthefollowingminimumamountsofGreen-eeligiblerenewableelectricity/renewableenergyattributes:

1. Renewableenergyattributessoldwithoutelectricityservice(e.gEACProducts):Whensoldonaone-timebasistoaresidentialelectricityconsumer,theminimumallowablepurchasequantityshallbethelowerof100kilowatt-hours(kWh)or10%oftheaveragemonthlyresidentialelectricityuseintheRegion.

2. Percentage-of-useelectricityproducts:Theminimumallowableamountis25%ofthecustomer’selectricityusage.However,ifaParticipantoffersanoptionforaresidentialconsumertopurchaselessthan50%oftheirelectricityascertifiedrenewableelectricity,theParticipantmustalsooffera100%renewableelectricityoptiontothoseconsumers.

3. ElectricityproductssoldinkWhblocks:Theminimumblocksizemustbesetnolowerthan10%oftheaveragemonthlyresidentialelectricityuseintheRegion.

4. Productssoldaskilowattsofcapacityfromafacilityorassharesofafacility:Eachmonth,suchRenewableEnergyProductsmustdeliveratleastthesameminimumamountasdeterminedinIII.D.3above,averagedoveracalendaryear.

15Anexampleofsuchrepresentationsisusingtherenewableelectricityincalculatingproductorportfolioresourcemixesforthepurposesofmarketingordisclosuretoelectricityend-userswhentheattributeshavebeensoldofforclaimedseparately.



Green-ecertifiedRenewableEnergyProductssoldtonon-residentialelectricityconsumershavenominimumpurchasequantityrequirement.However,commercialpurchasersinterestedinusingtheGreen-elogotopromotetheirpurchasemustparticipateintheGreen-eMarketplaceProgram,whichdoeshavequantityrequirements:www.green-e.org/marketplace.

F. CriteriafortheNon-EligiblePortionofaRenewableElectricityProductThissectioncontainsadditionalrequirementsforelectricityproductsthatprovidelessthan100%ofacustomer’sloadwitheligiblerenewableelectricity.16TheportionofsuchproductsthatisnotcomposedofeligiblerenewableelectricitymusthaveaverageemissionratesperkWhforSO2,NOx,andCO2thatareequaltoorlessthantheemissionratesoftheconsumer’sdefaultelectricityservice.Emissionratesofdefaultserviceshouldbebasedonthemostdetailedandrecentdataprovidedbytherelevantgovernment-approvedbodythatcollectsandpublishessuchdata,unlessoneormoreoftheRegion’stransmissionsystemadministrators,utilityoversightbodiesorotherauthoritiesmakesmoreup-to-dateandaccurateinformationavailable.Whileanyelectricitythatmeetstheabovecriteriawillqualify,thefollowingmayexplicitlybeusedtosatisfythenon-eligibleportionofaGreen-ecertifiedelectricityproduct:

1. Thesystemmixoftheconsumer’selectricityserviceprovider;17or2. Theresidualmixoftheconsumer’spowerpoolorcountry.

Thenon-eligibleportionoftheproductmaynotincludenuclearpowerbeyondwhatiscontainedinanysystempowerpurchase(i.e.maynotincludedifferentiatednuclearpower).V. AdditionalCriteria

A. ThirdPartyVerificationGreen-erequiresthatcertifiedRenewableEnergyProductsundergoanannualverificationprocessinordertosubstantiaterelatedpurchases,sales,andclaimsbytheParticipant.TheGreen-eParticipantmustemployanindependentqualifiedauditor18toconductthisverificationinaccordancewithverificationproceduressuppliedbyGreen-e.Suchverificationprocedures

16Forexample,anelectricityproductthatprovides75%ofthecustomer’selectricitywithGreen-ecertifiedrenewables,andprovidestheremaining25%ofthecustomer’selectricitywithsomethingotherthanGreen-ecertifiedrenewables.Therulesinthissectiongovernthis25%,withtheintentthatthiselectricityhassimilarenvironmentalimpactstowhatthecustomerwouldhavereceivediftheyhadnotsignedupforthe75%renewableelectricityproduct.17Thismayalsobecalledthe‘defaultmix’or‘suppliermix’insomelocations.18AuditorqualificationsarespecifiedintheverificationrulesforeachRegionalStandard.



aredevelopedaftertheGreen-eGovernanceBoardapprovesaRegionalStandardandmayvarybyRegion.TheresultsoftheverificationandselectedsupportingdocumentsmustbemadeavailabletotheCenterforResourceSolutionsandverificationisnotconsideredcompleteduntilallmaterialsaresubmittedandacceptedascompleteandfinalbyGreen-e.Participantsmusthavedataanddocument-trackingproceduresadequatetoprepareandprovideverificationmaterialstoGreen-eandauditors.Examplesofthetypesofdocumentsthatarelikelytoberequiredinclude,butarenotlimitedto:

1. Verificationofgeneratoreligibility.2. Reportsand/ordocumentationofallrenewableattributepurchases.3. Renewableenergytrackingsystemreports.4. Attestationdocumentssignedbyentitiesintherenewableelectricityand/orattribute

supplychain.5. DataongeneratorsandtheiroutputusedinGreen-ecertifiedRenewableEnergy

Products,includinggeneratorsownedbytheParticipant.6. DocumentationsupportinganyspecialcasesorexceptionstogeneratororRenewable

EnergyProducteligibility.7. Dataoncertifiedsales,includingdataonresourcetypesandamountsprovidedtoeach

customertype.8. ProspectiveandhistoricaldataonthecontentofcertifiedRenewableEnergyProducts.9. Billingrecordsandcontractsforrenewableelectricityandattributepurchasesandsales.10. Internalreportsanddatarelatedtorenewableelectricityandattributepurchasesand

sales.AllauditcostsaretheresponsibilityoftheGreen-eParticipantundergoingverification.

B. UseofRenewableEnergyTrackingSystemsInmarketsthatuseattributecertificatestotransactrenewableelectricity,Green-erequiresthatarenewableenergytrackingsystem(adatabase,typicallyelectronic,designedtotrackgenerationandownershipofEACs)beusedforalltransactionsandretirementsofGreen-ecertifiedRenewableEnergyProducts.Inmarketswithoutattributecertificates,theuseoftrackingsystemsisnotrequired.EachtrackingsystemmustbeapprovedbyGreen-eandmeetthefollowingcriteria:

1. HassoundcontractualorlegalframeworkstopreventthedoubleissuanceofEACs.2. Publishesstatistics(registeredgenerators,issuingandretiredvolumes).3. Publishespubliclistsofallregisteredgeneratorswithbasicdescriptiveinformation,

location,andhumancontactinformation,andofallregisteredaccountholdersandcontactinformation.



4. CalculatesaResidualMixforthesmalleroftheRegionoritsgeographicalareaofoperation,orprovidestherelevantgovernmentagency(ies)andGreen-ethedatanecessarytocalculateaResidualMix.

5. Toavoiddoublecountingwithregionalpolicies,thetrackingsysteminteractsinoneofthefollowingwayswiththeregionalgovernmentagenciesthatoverseerenewableenergypolicies,electricityresourcedisclosureand/orcarbonaccounting:

a. Thetrackingsystemisoverseenbysuchagency(ies);orb. Thetrackingsystemisrequiredbysuchagenciesforcompliancewith

governmentmandatesorpolicies;orc. ThetrackingsystemisrecognizedbythegovernmentasameanstotrackEACsin

theRegion.

6. HastheabilitytoindicatethatMWhareretired/cancelled/usedforGreen-ecertifiedsales,forexamplethroughdedicatedretirementaccountora“retirementreason”fieldinthetrackingsystem.

7. Issuescertificatesbasedongenerationdatasuppliedbythesystemoperator(s)orotherqualifiedentity(ies)thathaveaccesstothemeterproductionorsettlementdataforeachregisteredgenerator.

8. Isopentoallmarketparticipantsonanon-discriminatorybasis.9. Atthetimeofgeneratorregistration,independentlyverifygeneratorattributesandthat

thegeneratorisnotregisteredinanyotherrenewableenergytrackingsystems(insomelimitedcasessimultaneousregistrationinacarbonoffsetregistryispermitted).

10. RequiresthatalltheattributesofaMWhremainwiththecertificateandarenotsoldasaseparateinstrumentorrightofownership.

11. RecordsataminimumthefollowinginformationforeachtrackedMWh,andcanprovidethistoParticipantsand/ortheirauditors(additionalinformationmayberequireddependingonwhatinformationisavailableintheRegion):

a. Generatorname;b. UniquegeneratorIDassignedtothegeneratorbythetrackingsystem;c. GeneratorID,licensenumberorpermitnumberspecifictothecountryinwhich

itisbuiltortoanothergovernmentregistry/database;d. Resource/fueltype(s),inenoughdetailtodemonstratethatthegeneratormeets

therequirementsinSectionII.A;e. Generatorlocation(streetaddressand/orcoordinates);f. Generatorownerorauthorizedagent,andcontactinformationg. Generatornameplatecapacity;h. Gridortransmissiondistributioncompany/entitytowhichthegeneratoris

connected;i. Yeargeneratorfirstputelectricityontothegrid(i.e.commercialonlinedate);j. Anyotherinformationthatisneededtouniquelyidentifythegenerator;k. MonthandyearofthegenerationdateofeachMWhproduced;l. Monthandyearofthecertificateissuancedate;and



m. Ownership(e.g.,accountholder)ofeachcertificateatthetimeofcertificateretirement/cancellation.

IfaRegionhasaccesstoatrackingsystemthatdoesnotmeetalloftheabovecriteria,thatRegionalStandardmaystillrequiretheuseofthetrackingsystem,inwhichcasetheRegionalStandardwillincludeadditionalrequirementsinordertosatisfytheintentofallcriteriaintheFramework.Ifstakeholderspresentacompellingreasonwhyitwouldbebeneficial(e.g.fortherenewableenergymarketorprojectdevelopment)thatcertaingeneratortypesorgenerationshouldnotberequiredtouseaneligibletrackingsystem,theGreen-eGovernanceBoardmaygrantexceptionstotherequirementtouseeligibletrackingsystemsinaparticularRegionalStandard.

C. CustomerDisclosureGreen-eParticipantsmustdiscloseproductinformation,includingtheRegionalStandardunderwhichtheRenewableEnergyProductwascertified,toeachconsumerpriortotheirpurchaseoftheRenewableEnergyProduct.ParticipantmustalsomakeadditionaldisclosuresinthecasethattheRenewableEnergyProductchangesduringthetermofthepurchaseagreementwithanaffectedcustomer.DetailsofrequiredcustomerdisclosurearecontainedintheGreen-eCodeofConductdocumentthatisapplicabletoagivenRegionalStandard.

D. AdditionalRequirementsforElectricityProductsRegionalStandardsmaybemorerestrictivethancriteria1-3belowifsupportedbystakeholderconsultationsandneededtoachievetheintentoftheGreen-eprogram.

1. RegulatoryApprovalofElectricityProductsForcertifiedrenewableelectricityproducts/programs/greentariffsofferedbystate-ownedelectricityproviders,regulatedelectricityprovidersandelectricityprovidersinelectricitymarketswithoutretailcompetition:certificationisonlyavailabletoprogramsthathavebeenapproved,priortotheprogram’snominationforcertification,bytheappropriateregulatoryoroversightbodywithjurisdictionovertheprogram.

2. PricingofElectricityProductsForelectricityprovidersinelectricitymarketswithoutretailcompetition:the“above-market”costsofthebundledrenewableelectricityorattributesusedforacertifiedrenewableelectricityproductshallbeallocatedonlytocustomersofthatprogram.Ifsuchcostsarerelatedtopublicpolicyinitiativesthattheelectricityprovider’sregulatorsdeemacceptabletobepaidbyallcustomers(notonlybythecustomersofthecertifiedprogram),theelectricityprovidermayappealtotheGreen-eGovernanceBoardforapprovaloftheelectricityprogram.



3. MandatedRenewablesin100%RenewableElectricityProducts

Whenacustomerreceivessomeamountofrenewableelectricityasaresultofamandate,law,regulationorpolicy,typicallythatrenewableelectricityisnoteligibleforuseinaGreen-ecertifiedRenewableEnergyProduct(seeSectionIV.B).Thereisoneexceptiontothisrule,whichcanapplywhen:

1. Thecustomerisreceivingacertifiedelectricityproductfor100%oftheirelectricityusefromaParticipantthatisanelectricserviceprovider;and

2. Themandatedrenewablesareprovidedtothecustomerbythesameelectricserviceprovider;and

3. TherenewableelectricityappliedtoamandateanddeliveredtothecustomermeetsalloftherelevantGreen-eeligibilityrequirementsintheapplicableRegionalStandard.

Ifalloftheseconditionsaremet,thentheelectricserviceprovidermaycounttheportionofGreen-eeligiblemandatedrenewablestowardthecertifiedelectricityproductthatmeets100%ofthecustomer’selectricityuse.19Renewableelectricityreportedtowardarenewableenergymandateorsimilarpolicymustbeconsistentacrosstheloadonwhichthepolicy’sobligationcalculationsarebased.Green-erequiresaParticipantsubjecttosuchpolicytodistributethemandatedrenewablesconsistentlyacrossaffectedcustomers.Allocatingallsuchrenewablestoonecustomertypeorgroupofcustomersisnotallowed,unlessrequiredbylaworregulation.VI. GovernanceandFrameworkRevisionsTheFrameworkisreviewedeveryfiveyearsormorefrequentlyasneededtoaccommodatechangesinrenewableelectricitymarkets,policychangesthataffectrenewableenergy,and/orinnovationsinrenewableenergytechnology.AllrevisionsandcallsforcommentswillbepostedontheGreen-ewebsite(www.green-e.org).ForanysubstantialchangestothisFramework,Green-ecommitsthat:

1. StakeholdersaresolicitedinadvanceofGreen-eGovernanceBoardmeetingsforinputonsubstantivepolicychangeissues;and

2. Atleastoneyearofnotice(followingthedateofannouncementofBoardapproval)isgrantedtoParticipantsandotherstakeholdersbeforethesubstantivechangesgointoeffect.

19Asageneralprincipal,Green-eprogramparticipantsofferingacertifiedelectricityproductthatmeets100%ofacustomer’sloadwithrenewableelectricityarenotrequiredtoprovidethecustomerwithGreen-eeligiblerenewablesformorethan100%ofthecustomer’selectricityload.



Theremaybeexceptionsmadetotheabovetwocriteriaifamoretimelychangeisnecessarytorespondmoreimmediatelytomarket,policyortechnologyissuesthatwouldotherwiseunderminethegoalsorrequirementsofGreen-ecertification.SuchchangescanbemadebyGreen-eGovernanceBoarddecision.DetailsofthestandardsettingprocessforthisFrameworkandforRegionalStandards,aswellashowtosubmitcommentsorgrievances,areavailableat:www.green-e.org/about/standard-setting

A. GovernanceDetailsongovernanceoftheGreen-eprogramareavailableat:www.green-e.org/who.AsofthedateofpublicationofthisFramework,allGreen-eRegionalStandardsarereviewedandapprovedbytheGreen-eGovernanceBoard,agroupofvolunteerrenewableenergyexpertsthatrepresentthemajorstakeholdercategoriesfortheGreen-eprogram.ItistheintentofGreen-etodevelopgovernanceand/oradvisorybodiesthatsupportthecreationandmaintenanceofRegionalStandardsforcountriesorlargegeographicareasovertime.

B. RuleChangesImpactingExistingContractswithParticipantsGreen-eParticipantsmaypetitionGreen-eforawaiverfromspecificchangesinthecriteriaiftheycandocumentcurrentcontractsorotherconditionsthatpreventthemfromcomplyingwiththechange.ThewaivermustbecommunicatedtotheParticipant’saffectedcustomersinaclearmanner,20andCRSreservestherighttopubliclyannouncethatsuchRenewableEnergyProductshavebeengrantedcriteriaexemptionsontheGreen-ewebsite.ChangesthatarenotlimitingtoGreen-eParticipants(i.e.willimposenoburdenoncurrentlycertifiedRenewableEnergyProducts)orneedtobeimplementedintheshorttermtoaccommodateexternalpolicychangesmaytakeeffectimmediatelyuponGreen-eGovernanceBoardapproval.AnyGreen-eParticipantthatreceivesawaiverrelatedtoaspecificgeneratororgenerationtypemustdisclosetheuseofsuchagenerator/generationonthePrice,Terms,andConditionsandProductContentLabeldisclosuresthatareprovidedtoconsumersconsideringthepurchaseoftheaffectedRenewableEnergyProduct.RenewableenergyfromsuchgeneratorsmaybetradedtootherGreen-eParticipantsforuseintheirownGreen-ecertifiedsales,solongastheoriginalcontractorgeneratorownershipthatwasgrantedawaiverremainsintactthroughtheoriginalperiodforwhichitwasgrantedthewaiver.

20Forexample:“25%oftherenewableenergycontentofthisproductissuppliedbyfacilitiesplacedonlinepriorto2007”



ParticipantswithcontractsorgeneratorsthathavebeengrantedawaiverforcontinuedusemaytransfersuchcontractsorownershiptootherGreen-eParticipantsandtheoriginalwaiverwillremainintactfortheoriginalperiod.IfaParticipantlosesGreen-ecertificationofallRenewableEnergyProductsforanyreason,thewaiversgrantedtogeneratorsbasedonthatParticipant’currentcontractsorownershipwillbewithdrawnasofthedatethattheGreen-ecertificationisterminated.TheGreen-eGovernanceBoardmayapprovealternateproceduresinRegionalStandardsbasedonstakeholderfeedbackandtoaddressregionalmarketorregulatoryrequirement.VII. CurrentRegionalStandardsDocumentsAllcurrentRegionalStandardsdocumentsarelistedandavailableontheGreen-ewebsiteat:[webpagetobedevelopedandincludedinfinalFramework]VIII. HowtoApplyforDevelopmentofRegionalStandardsEntitiesinterestedinofferingorpurchasingcertifiedRenewableEnergyProductsinaRegionnotcoveredorincludedinanexistingRegionalStandardshouldreviewtheapplicationdetailsontheGreen-ewebsiteat:[webpagetobedevelopedandincludedinfinalFramework]CRS’sdeterminationonwhethertodevelopaRegionalStandardwillconsiderseveralfactors.Thesecanincludewhethertherelevantregulatoryandmarketinfrastructureexisttosupportaconsumer’schoiceforRenewableEnergyProducts;whetherdemandwithintheRegionforsuchproductsexists;andwhethertherearesufficienttechnicalsupport,stakeholderengagement,andresourcesavailabletosupportthedevelopmentoftheRegionalStandard.