Here are a few reliable resources to help you learn more about renewable energy, RECs, carbon offsets, and carbon accounting best practices.
Climate Action Reserve: The only program that has been endorsed by regulators in California and Pennsylvania and is the expected standard for any future U.S. carbon market.
Climate Action Reserve Landfill Gas Protocol: The full protocol with guidance for accounting for CO2e (carbon dioxide equivalent) reductions during the construction and operations of a landfill gas project.
EPA Landfill Outreach Program: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Landfill Methane Outreach Program (LMOP) is a voluntary assistance program that helps to reduce methane emissions from landfills by encouraging the recovery and beneficial use of landfill gas (LFG) as an energy resource.
Green-e: The Green-e Energy program is run by the Center for Resource Solutions (CRS). This third-party nonprofit organization certifies renewable energy projects and creates minimum standards that all projects must meet. Green-e is the standard bearer for the REC industry and provides a quality guarantee for any REC purchases.
EPA Green Power Partnership: The federal government helps businesses interested in purchasing green energy determine which option is best for that business by offering expert advice, technical support, tools and resources. RECs are one option supported by the Green Power Partnership.
Greenhouse Gas Protocol Corporate Standard: The GHG Protocol Corporate Standard provides standards and guidance for companies and other organizations preparing a GHG emissions inventory. The GHG Protocol Corporate Standard is program- and policy- neutral, but it is compatible with most existing GHG programs (such as E.P.A. Climate Leaders) and their own accounting and reporting requirements.