Renewable Energy
What are Renewable Energy Certificate's (RECs)?
"When a renewable energy facility generates electricity, it makes two things: electricity and Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs). RECs represent the environmental benefits of renewable energy.
For example, producing electricity from solar panels does not create harmful air pollutants, which means a benefit for the environment and human health. One REC represents the environmental benefits of one megawatt-hour of renewable electricity. RECs are often sold separately from the electricity. These RECs are usually bought by consumers through voluntary programs or by utilities as a result of state regulatory requirements." Source: Mass Technology Collaborative
To continue reading about RECs visit the Mass Technology Collaborative website
Harvard School of Public Health Renewable Energy Commitment 
Did you know that HSPH purchased renewable energy to offset 50% of campus electricity use for the 3rd year in a row? This is the largest renewable energy investment of any of the Harvard Schools, and amounts to 8,000,000 kWh of wind power this year:
- reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 5,550 tons CO2 (ghg emissions contribute to global climate change)
- equivalent to the electricity use of 750 average homes for a year
The HSPH administration funded this purchase with energy savings resulting from successful behavioral change programs, such as the Computer Energy Reduction Program and a range of technology projects.
Why is this so important?
According to the EPA, the production of electricity from fossil fuels it the largest source of industrial air pollution in the United States. And here are on the Longwood Campus electricity use accounts for 38% of campus greenhouse gas emissions, a major contributor to global climate change. By buying renewable energy certificates (RECs), HSPH is supporting the development of new wind power in the US.
You can support renewable energy
A few places to start:
** MASS TECHNOLOGY COLLABORATIVE Renewable Energy Trust offers the Clean Energy Choice Program to help consumers purchase renewable energy http://www.mtpc.org/CleanEnergyOrg/index.htm
** STERLING PLANET (the company HSPH bought their green power from) offers individual purchasing opportunities as well http://www.sterlingplanet.com/buyGreenAmerica.php
The Longwood Green Campus Initiative want to know if members of the Harvard community are purchasing renewable energy! Send us an email at jaclyn_olsen@harvard.edu
Six Longwood Buildings Win Renewable Energy from Pledge Campaign
Six buildings at Longwood met the Renewable Energy Challenge portion of the campaign by achieving above a 50% pledge rate. Harvard has purchased renewable energy certificates (RECs) to offset 10% of the greenhouse gas emissions from energy use for each of these buildings, a total purchase of 2,300,000 kWh of wind power (to learn more about purchasing renewable energy certificates visit the pledge website. The winners include:
Shattuck International House, HSPH
Kresge Building, HSPH
Gordon Hall, HMS
Countway Library, HMS
TMEC, HMS
160/164 Longwood Ave, HMS
Learn More about Renewable Energy and Harvard University
Visit our site section on Renewable Energy at Harvard.