SUNY Oneonta Purchases RECs

The State University of New York at Oneonta (SUNY Oneonta) is the first SUNY to purchase Tier 1 renewable energy certificates from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority’s (NYSERDA) voluntary sales program.

April 29, 2025

Published by SED

Higher Education, Offsite Renewable Project/PPA/VPPA/RECs, Onsite Solar

The State University of New York at Oneonta (SUNY Oneonta) is the first SUNY to purchase Tier 1 renewable energy certificates (RECs) from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority’s (NYSERDA) voluntary sales program.

This purchase will provide enough locally-sourced clean energy to fully power four, 200-bed residence halls on the SUNY Oneonta campus.

“New York State continues to demonstrate its commitment to advancing clean energy solutions and sustainability,” Governor Hochul said in a statement. “I applaud SUNY Oneonta for powering its campus with clean energy. Not only does this program bring the university one step closer to reaching carbon neutrality, but it also provides a blueprint for other SUNY campuses to follow.”

Implemented by NYSERDA, the Voluntary Tier 1 REC Presale Program was established in 2023 to create an opportunity for any organization — including commercial, industrial and institutional utility customers — to purchase New York Tier 1 RECs procured by NYSERDA through a competitive process. Tier 1 RECs represent the environmental attributes of one megawatt hour (MWh) of energy derived from renewable resources such as wind and solar.

For this program, the sources must be Renewable Energy Standard (RES)-eligible and come from new renewable energy generators that began operation on or after January 1, 2015. Through its REC purchase, SUNY Oneonta will claim 1,000 MWhs of new local renewable energy in 2025.

By participating in NYSERDA’s program, organizations can reduce their carbon footprint and support local, renewable energy projects throughout New York State.

This purchase is part of SUNY Oneonta’s Clean Energy Master Plan, which charts a roadmap for carbon neutrality by 2045. The university converting its campus buildings over to heat pump technology and purchasing these RECs, as well as its on-site solar energy production, will help to offset SUNY Oneonta’s electrical usage.

NYSERDA is the central administrator of Tier 1 REC purchases and sales in New York and supports a diverse supply of clean energy through its Tier 1 program. Participants in this program can immediately secure the environmental benefits from currently operating projects.