FAQs

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Find out more about BEF and our products and programs. If you don’t find what you’re looking for, please feel free to contact us.

What is a REC?

A REC is a simple, reliable means to differentiate renewable energy from electricity produced from non-renewable sources. One REC represents the environmental benefits associated with the generation of 1 mWh of renewable energy.

Where does the money go?

As a nonprofit, our profits (or “net revenues” in nonprofit lingo) go into solar panels on schools across the country, educating tomorrow’s leaders (kids) on the power of renewable energy, restoring and protecting habitat for fish and wildlife, and building new sources of renewable energy.

How are Carbon Offsets and RECs different? How do I know which to buy?

Carbon Offsets represent greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reductions measured in tons or pounds of CO2 equivalents. RECs represent the environmental benefits of renewable energy measured in megawatt hours.

Industry standards place CO2 emissions in 3 Scopes, useful in analyzing how an organization is creating emissions and how to reduce them.

  • BEF offers Carbon Offsets for Scope 1, which covers a company’s direct GHG emissions from on-site energy production or other industrial activities; and for Scope 3, which covers emissions from employee travel and embedded energy in furniture, equipment, etc.
  • BEF offers RECs for Scope 2, which covers indirect emissions from energy bought from off-site facilities such as your utility’s power plants.

Does BEF have outside auditors or certifiers?

Yes. Every year, BEF has an independent financial audit to make sure that all financial statements honestly and accurately reflect BEF’s financial position. BEF REC and carbon offset transactions are also independently audited every year to make sure consumers actually get what they bought.

First, BEF is certified by the Center for Resource Solutions’ (CRS) Green-e Energy and Green-e Climate program, an independent, voluntary, national nonprofit carbon offset consumer protection standard. Every year CRS conducts an outside audit of BEF (and other organizations that seek certification from Green-e Energy and Green-e Climate). In these independent audits, CRS audits the chain of custody of the offsets – insuring that all offsets were purchased and sold as promised to consumers. Thus, verifying that the offsets were produced from a specific facility, delivered to consumers in the amounts specified, and not double-sold to any other party. The Green-e Climate Program certifies that BEF Carbon Offsets meet the environmental and consumer protection standards established by the nonprofit Center for Resource Solutions. For more information on Green-e Energy and Green-e Climate certification requirements log on to www.green-e.org

What is the difference between Green-e Climate and Green-e Energy?

Green-e Energy is a certification program for the sale of renewable energy on the voluntary market, either renewable energy or RECs, both measured in megawatt hours (mWhs). Green-e Climate certifies the sale of greenhouse gas emission reductions (also called offsets) sold as tons of carbon dioxide equivalent. Green-e Climate is the nation’s first certification program for carbon offsets sold on the retail market.

Does renewable energy reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions?

When a traditional fossil fuel power plant sends electricity to the grid, it burns coal or oil, generating tons of GHG. When a renewable energy facility sends electricity to the grid, less electricity needs to be generated from fossil fuel plants. Those plants then burn less fuel. The obvious result is that fewer greenhouse gases are generated.

Is my BEF REC purchase meaningful?

Yes. The projects supplying our RECs go beyond “business as usual” and exceed legal and regulatory requirements. They may have needed REC sales as part of their financing package. Real reductions in GHG happen the instant electricity flows from renewable sources, so they are “permanent”. Our supply projects are new, going back no further than 2005. Certifications and contracts make them enforceable. And they are verified by independent organizations. Not only are they meaningful, but BEF RECs continue to help drive a thriving market for renewable energy in the U.S.

What types of RECs does BEF offer?

BEF and each of its suppliers are required to disclose the quantity, type, and geographic source of each REC. Project supply sources do change, but include solar, wind, and other renewables. At the end of the year, we will give you a report of the resource mix that you bought the preceding calendar year. Please see your Product Content Label for this information.

Are BEF RECs a danger to the natural environment?

In 2000, we sat down with three leading environmental organizations and asked them to help us create the criteria for a good renewable energy project, one that was as beneficial for the environment as it was for the people. These environmental groups, including the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), created the criteria that we use today. Before we buy RECs from any project, we hire a third party environmental consulting group to: 1) review the project; 2) see if the project meets environmental criteria; 3) address any concerns that come up during the review process; 4) report the results back to us.

How does BEF ensure transparency of my REC purchase?

Because the Green-e Energy program certifies our RECs, BEF and each supplier are required to disclose the quantity, type and geographic source of each REC., verified by an annual audit. Supply sources do change. At the end of the year, we will give you a report of the resource mix of the BEF RECs that you bought during the preceding calendar year. Please see your Product Content Label.

Can I use RECs for LEED certification points?

Yes. LEED buildings may earn points by providing some of the building’s power for at least two years through Green-e Energy Certified® RECs. By substantially exceeding this requirement, you may earn additional points. RECs are an easy and low-cost option to fulfill LEED requirements for green power without having to change utility arrangements or install any new hardware. Learn more or contact a LEED Green Power Advisor to get a quote at LEED@b-e-f.org.

What are the pollutants to be concerned about?

Traditional power sources such as coal create serious air pollutants including carbon dioxide (CO2), sulfur dioxides (SO2), which cause acid rain, and nitrogen oxides (NOx), which cause smog. Renewable energy facilities do not generate any of these pollutants. When a renewable energy facility sends electricity to the grid, less pollution overall is generated as fossil fuel plants “back out”. This has been shown to be true nationally for CO2 emissions. In the western U.S., it has also been shown to be true for other pollutants such as NOx, mercury, and carbon monoxide.

What questions should I ask when I’m thinking about buying carbon offsets?

1) Is the carbon offset provider a nonprofit organization?
Why this is important: Many companies that provide offsets are for profit – which doesn’t mean they’re bad – it just means that their profits go to shareholders.

About BEF: BEF is a nonprofit organization. Our profits (or "net revenues" in nonprofit lingo) go to the planet. We put our profits into solar panels on schools across the country, educating tomorrow’s leaders (kids) on the power of renewable energy, restoring and protecting habitat for fish and wildlife, and building new sources of renewable energy. All that and, since BEF has 501(c)(3) status, you may be eligible to deduct your contribution to BEF from your taxes.

2) Do the offset projects meet criteria established by independent environmental organizations?
Why this is important: You want to be a savvy shopper and make sure that all of the projects that you support are making the most positive impact possible.

About BEF: Years ago, before we started selling carbon offsets, we sat down with three leading environmental organizations and asked them to help us create the criteria for a good renewable energy project, one that was as beneficial for the environment as it was for the people. These environmental groups, including Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), created the criteria that we use today. Before we buy offsets from any project, the project has to pass our environmental screening criteria. So, you can rest assured that all of the renewable energy projects that you support through BEF are having a positive impact on the planet

3) Have the projects been verified by an independent, third-party?
Why this is important: Let’s face it, although carbon offsets have very positive and tangible benefits, the offsets themselves are rather intangible products. Third-party verification is important because it allows you, as a consumer, to rest assured that the organization is doing what it says it’s doing with your hard earned money.

About BEF: BEF was an early supporter of Green-e, an independent, national auditing organization run by the Center for Resource Solutions. The folks at CRS and Green-e require annual audits of BEF’s offset purchases, marketing materials, etc. They make sure that we’re delivering what we say we’re delivering… that we’re not over-promising or promising you something and delivering something else. Green-e just launched its most stringent level of certification yet – the Green-e Climate program. BEF was an early and avid supporter of these stringent standards. We push ourselves to deliver the highest quality, most effective products to you in as transparent a manner as possible. As an offset consumer, you should look for Green-e Climate certified products.

4) Are the carbon offsets real and permanent? Who keeps track?
Why this is important: You want to make sure your money is going to support projects that are going to make a real, lasting impact on the energy system and the environment.

About BEF: We subscribe to the Green-e Climate code of conduct. This code of conduct insures that all of the projects that we support are real, have been built since 2005, and offer lasting impact to the planet.

5) How does the organization spend its net revenues?
Why this is important: As we’ve mentioned in other places, some of the organizations that provide offsets are for-profit companies – which means their net revenues are paid to their shareholders.

About BEF: As a 501(c)(3) certified nonprofit organization, BEF invests its net revenues in the planet. We spend our profits on educating kids about renewable energy, building new sources of renewable energy and conducting long-term watershed restoration activities.

6) Does the offset support a technology that can end our reliance on fossil fuels?
Why this is important: Not all offsets are alike. Some offsets support tree-planting efforts, some offsets support the development of new types of clean, renewable energy technology.

About BEF: BEF’s offsets all support the development of new sources of clean, renewable energy technology. Our current, fossil-fuel-based energy system is at the root of the climate change problem. Working to transition our country from fossil fuels to thoughtfully developed renewable fuels will have a dramatic and lasting impact on our atmosphere. In other words, some offsets treat symptoms (pollution that has already occurred), whereas renewable energy offsets treat the problem directly and eliminate the source of the pollution.

7) Can I select what type of carbon offset my money is used for?
Why this is important: Different companies use your money to fund different programs. Some people have a preference in which type of renewable energy they invest in.

About BEF: At BEF, we offer different types of carbon offsets: wind offsets, solar offsets, a solar-wind blend of offsets, and offsets representing the capture and reduction of harmful greenhouse gases emitted from sources such as animal waste, landfills, or refrigerants. Each of these types of offsets is audited by Green-e Climate and meet our environmental criteria. So, whichever type of clean, renewable energy resource you choose to support, you can rest assured that your money will be invested with integrity and will achieve results.

Are BEF’s RECs and carbon offsets tax deductible?

Yes. The Bonneville Environmental Foundation (BEF) is registered as a nonprofit organization with 501(c)(3) status from the IRS. When you make a contribution to BEF to buy offsets, you tell BEF to buy the amount of offsets that you say and to retire those emissions credits. Although this means that you won’t personally own these emissions offsets, you will accomplish your goal of cleaner air and additional renewable energy projects. We will gratefully send you an acknowledgement of your contribution, which is tax deductible to the full extent allowed under the law. Please consult with your own tax advisor if you have further questions about the tax deductibility of your contribution.

What is a Carbon Offset?

One Carbon Offset is a simple way of representing the reduction of one metric ton of carbon dioxide, enough to offset the emissions created by driving a typical car 1,500 miles. Types of carbon offsets include renewable energy projects and bio-digesters that capture and use methane gas from animal waste or landfills.

How are Carbon Offsets and RECs different?

Carbon Offsets represent greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reductions measured in tons or pounds of CO2 equivalents. RECs represent the environmental benefits of renewable energy measured in megawatt hours.
Industry standards place CO2 emissions in 3 Scopes, useful in analyzing how an organization is creating emissions and how to reduce them.

  • BEF offers Carbon Offsets for Scope 1, which covers a company’s direct GHG emissions from on-site energy production or other industrial activities; and for Scope 3, which covers emissions from employee travel and embedded energy in furniture, equipment, etc.
  • BEF offers RECs for Scope 2, which covers indirect emissions from energy bought from off-site facilities such as your utility’s power plants.

Where does the money go?

As a nonprofit, our profits (or "net revenues" in nonprofit lingo) go into solar panels on schools across the country, educating tomorrow’s leaders (kids) on the power of renewable energy, restoring and protecting habitat for fish and wildlife, and building new sources of renewable energy.

What types of Carbon Offsets does BEF offer?

BEF Carbon Offsets represent the capture and reduction of harmful greenhouse gases emitted from sources such as animal waste, landfills, or traditional power plants. Our projects meet international standards and verifications including the Climate Action Registry, Green-e Climate, the Gold Standard or the Voluntary Carbon Standard. Plus, all of the sources of BEF’s Offsets meet rigorous environmental criteria endorsed by three leading environmental organizations including The Natural Resources Defense Council.

How do Carbon Offsets and RECs reduce the impact of climate change?

Two examples: Dairies and landfills generate methane, a greenhouse gas 23 times more powerful than CO2. Offset projects that use the methane clean up the atmosphere dramatically. Traditional fossil fuel power plants create tons of greenhouse gases and serious air pollutants including carbon dioxide (CO2), sulfur dioxides (SO2), and nitrogen oxides (NOx). Renewable energy facilities do not generate any of these. When a renewable energy facility sends electricity to the grid, fossil fuel plants “back out”, generating less pollution and fewer GHGs overall.

How do I know that my Carbon Offset and REC purchase is making a meaningful difference in climate change?

The projects supplying our offsets go beyond “business as usual” and exceed legal and regulatory requirements. They may have needed offset sales as part of their financing package. Our supply projects are new, going back no further than 2005. Certifications and contracts make them enforceable. And they are verified by independent organizations. Real reductions in GHG happen the instant electricity flows from renewable sources, so they are “permanent”. Not only are they meaningful, but BEF RECs and Carbon Offsets continue to help drive a thriving market for renewable energy in the U.S.

Are BEF Carbon Offsets tax deductible?

Yes. The Bonneville Environmental Foundation (BEF) is registered as a nonprofit organization with 501(c)(3) status from the IRS. When you make a contribution to BEF to buy offsets, you tell BEF to buy the amount of offsets that you say and to retire those emissions credits. Although this means that you won’t personally own these emissions offsets, you will accomplish your goal of cleaner air and additional renewable energy projects. We will gratefully send you an acknowledgement of your contribution, which is tax deductible to the full extent allowed under the law. Please consult with your own tax advisor if you have further questions about the tax deductibility of your contribution.

What happens to the environmental attributes I am paying for?

By buying them, you have used them up creating tangible benefits for the planet – cleaner air and more renewable energy projects. They can’t be resold. When comparing green power and offset products, make sure the product contains all of its attributes and that, for example, its CO2 emissions offset hasn’t been sold already to someone else. Companies buying RECs can subtract those emissions reductions from their electricity purchase emissions.

What is a BEF Water Restoration Certificate™

A BEF Water Restoration Certificate (WRC) is an innovative way for businesses and individuals to take responsibility for their water consumption. Purchasing WRCs prevents water from being removed from a critically de-watered river or stream. By keeping water “in-stream,” WRCs help these rivers and streams become healthy and flowing again.

One BEF Water Restoration Certificate represents 1,000 gallons of water restored to a critically dewatered river or stream. Use BEF WRCs to mitigate direct or indirect water consumption, including water used in office space, operations or embedded in the supply chain.

How does BEF “create” BEF Water Restoration Certificates?

To understand how BEF “creates” a WRC, you need to understand a little about water law. Currently, water laws in the western United States give water rights to property owners, allowing them to take a certain amount of water from rivers and streams each year for beneficial economic use. The downside of these laws is that in many cases rights to withdraw water exceed the total amount of water available in the stream, particularly in late summer. In addition, laws mandate that water rights holders use their allotted water or they risk forfeiting their water rights forever. This “use it or lose it” policy can encourage inefficient water practices because landowners are forced to use all of their allotted water whether they need it or not. And all that diverted water is leaving many streams completely dry or with so little water that they can’t support fish, wildlife, and recreation.

BEF WRCs are uniquely designed to give landowners a choice in how they use their water. WRCs are a voluntary, market-based device that provides economic incentives for water rights holders to leave water in critically dewatered ecosystems. Quite simply, landowners are paid to keep water in stream. This opportunity exists because new, progressive water laws in select states consider water left in stream to be a beneficial use. This means that water rights holders can legally restore and protect water to rivers and streams without forfeiting their valuable water rights. By leaving water instream where it is protected and unavailable for any other use, WRCs help critically dewatered rivers and streams become healthy and flowing again.

How do BEF Water Restoration Certificates help the environment?

BEF’s strict supply criteria require, among other things, that any project source for BEF WRCs must be in an area where native fish, wild fish, and/or wildlife populations are expected to benefit, that the project must not compromise existing water quality and that water must be secured and protected at a location and during a time of year where low water flows are a limiting factor for fish and wildlife, biodiversity, and/or ecosystem function. Furthermore, the criteria require that BEF WRCs not include water from projects that rely on dams or barriers that impede fish passage or natural hydrologic function. These criteria, along with the other criteria BEF has established for BEF WRC supply sources, ensure that WRCs benefit fish, plant life, wildlife and indeed the entire ecosystem from which they are sourced.

How do I know my purchase of BEF Water Restoration Certificates will make a real difference?

To ensure that BEF WRCs produce real environmental benefits, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) reviews each proposed WRC project, selecting and certifying those with the greatest potential to add water where it’s most critically needed.

How do I know that the BEF Water Restoration Certificates that I purchase aren’t being sold again to someone else?

When a BEF WRC is purchased, the equivalent restored water is officially registered and available for view in the Markit Environmental Registry. Once it has been verified that the water has been returned to the environment, the BEF WRC is “retired” in the registry so it can’t be sold, traded or double counted.

Where are the rivers and streams from which BEF Water Restoration Certificates come located?

BEF WRCs are currently sourced from 3 locations in the Northwestern United States:

  • Evans Creek, Oregon
  • Prickly Pear Creek, Montana
  • Middle Deschutes River, Oregon

More information on these locations can be found here.

How does BEF choose the rivers and streams from which BEF Water Restoration Certificates come?

BEF has developed a strict set of supply criteria to select the “flow restoration” projects from which BEF WRCs are sourced. This ensures that your efforts and contributions have the greatest positive impact on the environment. All proposals are evaluated and certified by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) based on how well they satisfy the following:

Hydrologic Criteria – Water must be secured and protected at a location and during a time of year where low water flows are a limiting factor for fish and wildlife, biodiversity, and/or ecosystem function. Additionally, BEF WRCs will not include inventory from projects that rely on dams or barriers that impede fish passage or natural hydrologic function.

Biological Criteria – The proposed project must be in an area where native fish, wild fish, and/or wildlife populations are expected to benefit. The project must not compromise existing water quality.

Watershed Planning Criteria – A publically available document or written statement from a biologist or ecologist with in-depth knowledge of the proposed site must verify that the area (stream, river, or wetland) is in critical need of water. This scientifically credible assessment by a third party ensures that each project enhances the health and function of a larger ecosystem.

Monitoring Criteria – The proposal must have monitoring systems to assess and verify the volume of water protected.

Economic Criteria – The price for the proposed project must be reasonable in terms of local and regional water markets and be comparable in price to other ongoing stream flow restoration programs.

Accountability Criteria- All the correct documentation for a proposed project must be in order. This includes all of the necessary proposal forms, landowner contracts, water rights certificates, state agency approvals, GPS coordinates, and maps and photographs of the proposed stream reach and irrigated lands.

Administrative Criteria - All legal elements and paperwork with regards to water rights must be satisfied. The water rights must be valid and verifiable, and environmental flows must be protected under state water rights law or by a legally enforceable contract with private parties, irrigation districts, canal companies and/or landowners.

Documents with more information on the supply criteria and code of conduct for BEF WRCs can be found here.

Where does the money from my purchase of BEF Water Restoration Certificates go?

As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit BEF reinvests all net revenues from your purchase of BEF WRCs in environmental programs dedicated to the promotion, financing and development of new sources of renewable energy, education programs and watershed restoration projects.

Based on our first year budgeted BEF WRC expenditures, we expect revenue from WRCs will be used as follows:

The Water: 35%
Finding and funding projects in three states where BEF WRCs are making a real, measurable difference by improving water quality, helping increase fish and wildlife populations and providing water for recreation.

Quality Assurance: 3%
Working with outside legal experts on water rights issues, implementing audits, creating our code of conduct and developing an online registry to ensure BEF WRCs meet the highest environmental and consumer protection standards.

Concept Development And Design: 28%
Working with BEF’s internal environmental and business experts to create the business and environmental framework so BEF WRCs will fit perfectly with a business’ water stewardship plan.

Conservation And Public Education: 33%
Encouraging action by empowering businesses and individuals with knowledge, information and conservation tools to raise awareness about water stewardship.

Administration: 1%
Organizing, filing, managing and all the paperwork required to create, implement, staff and run a one-of-a-kind program that is helping the environment while also helping businesses become better water stewards.

Are BEF Water Restoration Certificates tax-deductible?

Yes. The Bonneville Environmental Foundation (BEF) is registered as a nonprofit organization with 501(c)(3) status from the IRS. When you make a contribution to BEF to buy BEF WRCs you tell BEF to buy a specific amount of WRCs and to retire that volume of water. Although this means that you won’t personally own certificates, you will accomplish your goal of restoring water to critically dewatered rivers and streams. We will gratefully send you an acknowledgement of your contribution, which is tax deductible to the full extent allowed under the law. Please consult with your own tax advisor if you have further questions about the tax deductibility of your contribution.

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