RECS

Renewable energy certificates are market-based instruments representing property rights to renewable electricity generation’s environmental, social, and other non-power attributes. RECs are issued when delivering and generating one megawatt-hour (MWh) of electricity from a renewable energy resource to the electricity grid. The difference between offsets and RECs represents the environmental benefits of specific actions that can help mitigate GHG emissions. Offsets represent a metric ton of emissions avoided or reduced. Offsets and RECs, however, have different impacts, different criteria for qualification, and crediting of inventory or carbon footprint.