City of Houston - Green Power Purchasing (Texas)

Last modified on February 12, 2015.

Rules Regulations Policies Program

Place	Texas
Name	City of Houston - Green Power Purchasing
Incentive Type	Green Power Purchasing
Applicable Sector	Local Government
Eligible Technologies	Wind
Active Incentive	Yes
Implementing Sector	Local
Energy Category	Renewable Energy Incentive Programs
Percent Renewables	35%
Source	Wind
Website	http://www.greenhoustontx.gov/epr-energysources.html
Date added to DSIRE	2008-03-13
Last DSIRE Review	2012-12-17
References	DSIRE

Summary

In 2007, the City of Houston negotiated a 5-year contract with Reliant Energy for up to 80 MW or 700 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) annually of renewable energy credits (RECs). These RECs will be generated almost exclusively from wind power. The purchase began in July 2008 at 40 MW, equivalent to roughly 350 million kWh annually or 25% of the annual electricity consumption of the city's municipal facilities. Additional 10 MW increments of renewable energy are authorized to be stepped in over time up to the 80 MW specified in the contract. As of January 2012, the purchase had been increased to 50 MW, equivalent to roughly 438 million kWh annually approximately 35% of annual electricity consumption in city facilities.

This diversification of Houston's energy portfolio is expected to help insulate the city from price shocks such as those that occurred in the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Between January 2009 and December 2012, Houston has captured the second spot on the EPA's Green Power Partner list of green energy purchases by local governments.

Incentive Contact

Contact Name	Public Information
Department	Office of Environmental Programming
Division	Mayor’s Office
Address	City of Houston
Address 2	P.O. Box 1562
Place	Houston, Texas
Zip/Postal Code	77251
Phone	(713) 837-0311
Website	http://www.greenhoustontx.gov

• Incentive and policy data are reviewed and approved by the N.C. Solar Center's DSIRE project staff.