Federal Energy Policy and Agency Outreach

To preserve the market for renewable energy, federal energy policy design needs to provide a mechanism to ensure that purchases of renewable energy continue to be meaningful. Additionally, federal agencies--both through procurement strategies and regulatory rulemakings--should support and recognize the role of voluntary renewable energy purchases in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and encouraging deployment of new renewable energy generation.

- Update on Current Rulemaking -

Released in late May 2011, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) and Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) have a current rulemaking that will define financial ‘swaps.’ Environmental commodities—including Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs)—are part of the rulemaking, and the CFTC and SEC have specifically requested information on how RECs should be treated. REMA submitted comments to the agencies (see below) and have continued communications with related agency personnel and Congressional staff.

Read REMA's submitted CFTC comments here >>

On Friday, January 13, 2012, Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Jeffrey Merkley (D-OR), and Sherrod Brown (D-OH), submitted a letter to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), urging Chairman Gensler to clarify the treatment of Renewable Energy Certificates (REC) in the Dodd-Frank Act. REMA led the letter's drafting and recruitment and is calling on renewable energy stakeholders to help build Congressional support for the green power markets. Read the letter here >>

Federal Energy Policy

• REMA and Industry Allies Send Letters to DOE Supporting Annual Green Power Reporting and Leadership Awards (May 15, 2012). Read the "Report" letter here>>, and the "Leadership Award" letter here >>

• REMA Comments to the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Clean Energy Standard White Paper (April 11, 2011)

• Press Release: REMA Statement on President Obama's State of the Union, Clean Energy Standard Endorsement (January 26, 2011)

• Press Release: Renewable Energy Markets Association Applauds Recognition of Voluntary Purchases of Renewable Energy in American Power Act (May 12, 2010)

• Read more >>

Federal Agency Outreach

• REMA recommends revisions to the White House Council on Enviroment Quality's Federal GHG Guidance (April 11, 2012)

• Senators sign joint letter supporting green power markets during financial reform proceedings (January 13, 2012)

• REMA Submits Comments to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and Securities and Exchange Commission on the Treatment of RECs as 'swaps' in the Proposed Rulemaking (July 22, 2011)

• REMA Comments to the Department of Energy on the Use of RECs in Meeting Federal Building Energy Requirements (December 14, 2010)

• REMA Comments on Proposed Revisions to FTC Green Guides (December 10, 2010)

• REMA Comments to White House Council on Environmental Quality on Federal Guidance on GHG Emissions and the Use of RECs (September 1, 2010)

• Read more >>