Voluntary green power markets are where consumers find suppliers of green renewable energy to satisfy their commitment to green energy, and where green power generators benefit from a revenue stream that recognizes their green attributes. To be credible, voluntary green markets rely on independent sources to verify the environmental claims of suppliers. LIHI is the leading non-profit, independent, third-party source to verify the green claims of hydroelectric power suppliers.

For low impact hydropower, the voluntary green market is especially important. Under current policies there are limited opportunities for hydroelectric power to be eligible for state compliance markets. Yet there can be significant additional costs associated with best practices in environmental operation of hydropower facilities. Through the voluntary markets, low impact hydropower generators who cannot access state compliance markets may be able to connect directly with buyers who desire zero emission and also can be confident that the facility operator is investing in the river and protecting vital resources.

The US EPA website has useful information that defines Green Power and Green Markets. The EPA Green Power Partnership is a voluntary program that encourages organizations to use green power as a way to reduce the environmental impacts associated with conventional electricity use. The Partnership currently has more than 1,300 Partner organizations voluntarily using billions of kilowatt-hours of green power annually. Partners include a wide variety of leading organizations such as Fortune 500® companies, small and medium sized businesses, local, state, and federal governments, and colleges and universities. LIHI Certified hydropower is an eligible source of supply to participate in the GPP Program. For more information, visit the US EPA Green Power Partnership website.

LIHI supports voluntary green markets in cooperation with Green-e Energy, the nation’s leading independent certification and verification program for renewable energy in the retail market. LIHI Certified Facilities may also qualify to certify their renewable energy certificates (RECs) through Green-e Energy.