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About MMA MunEnergy Customers use certificates to support renewable energy
More and more municipalities are recognizing that securing clean sources of energy is good for the environment and also has associated benefits, especially since residents are increasingly looking for “greener” communities.
Municipalities that are unable to build on-site renewable energy facilities to match demand may purchase renewable energy certificates (RECs) to incorporate renewable energy into their energy portfolio.
REC purchases help support the operation and financing of renewable energy generation from sources such as solar, wind, hydro and biomass, which, over time, may lessen our dependence on fossil fuels.
Support of renewable energy has an immediate environmental impact by reducing the release of harmful chemicals and greenhouse gases created by fossil fuel generation.
RECs also can be applied toward Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification and similar environmental programs.
Though renewable energy often costs a premium, many customers support the environmental benefits that will come as more diversified power sources feed into the grid.
“We felt the need to match 25 percent of our electricity consumption with RECs because it furthers our policy responsibilities as environmental stewards,” said Orlando Pacheco, town administrator in Lancaster. “In the coming years we look forward to matching more of our electric usage with RECs, and also becoming less dependent on volatile petroleum-based heating and electric generation.”
The town of Sherborn has also purchased RECs to match 10 percent of its electricity consumption for the next three years.
Both Lancaster and Sherborn are purchasing their electricity and RECs from the MMA’s endorsed energy supplier for the MunEnergy program, Constellation NewEnergy.
For more information, contact MunEnergy Program Manager Emily Neill at (617) 772-7513 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
About MMA MunEnergy Customers use certificates to support renewable energy
Customers use certificates to support renewable energy
More and more municipalities are recognizing that securing clean sources of energy is good for the environment and also has associated benefits, especially since residents are increasingly looking for “greener” communities.
Municipalities that are unable to build on-site renewable energy facilities to match demand may purchase renewable energy certificates (RECs) to incorporate renewable energy into their energy portfolio.
REC purchases help support the operation and financing of renewable energy generation from sources such as solar, wind, hydro and biomass, which, over time, may lessen our dependence on fossil fuels.
Support of renewable energy has an immediate environmental impact by reducing the release of harmful chemicals and greenhouse gases created by fossil fuel generation.
RECs also can be applied toward Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification and similar environmental programs.
Though renewable energy often costs a premium, many customers support the environmental benefits that will come as more diversified power sources feed into the grid.
“We felt the need to match 25 percent of our electricity consumption with RECs because it furthers our policy responsibilities as environmental stewards,” said Orlando Pacheco, town administrator in Lancaster. “In the coming years we look forward to matching more of our electric usage with RECs, and also becoming less dependent on volatile petroleum-based heating and electric generation.”
The town of Sherborn has also purchased RECs to match 10 percent of its electricity consumption for the next three years.
Both Lancaster and Sherborn are purchasing their electricity and RECs from the MMA’s endorsed energy supplier for the MunEnergy program, Constellation NewEnergy.
For more information, contact MunEnergy Program Manager Emily Neill at (617) 772-7513 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
Written by MunEnergy Program Manager Emily Neill
