Evanston Environment Board Reviews Energy Certificate Program
The city evaluates its renewable energy certificate purchases amid concerns over transparency and effectiveness.
Updated on Oct. 23, 2026 in Electric Vehicles
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Evanston's Environment Board is reviewing the city's process for purchasing renewable energy certificates. Officials are examining whether these purchases provide legitimate environmental benefits or function as greenwashing.
Why it matters
The board is concerned that the current system lacks necessary City Council oversight and fails to meaningfully increase the supply of renewable energy. Officials aim to determine if city funds are being utilized effectively within the community choice aggregation program.
The city's annual grant for renewable energy certificates has been reduced to $150,000, significantly lower than the previous $500,000 funding level. Each certificate represents one megawatt-hour of renewable energy.
The players
Evanston Environment Board
This local government body is tasked with evaluating sustainability initiatives and advising the city on environmental policy matters.
MC Squared
This company acts as the administrator for Evanston's community choice aggregation program, managing electricity supply contracts.
The details
City funds for these certificates come from annual grants provided by MC Squared, the administrator of the city's community choice aggregation program. Current protocols allow the sustainability manager to authorize these purchases without seeking approval from the City Council.
Timeline
Evanston established its community choice aggregation program in 2012.
MC Squared began administering the program in 2021.
The City Council approved a three-year contract renewal in January 2026.
The Environment Board discussed the certificate purchases on October 22, 2026.
The board will continue its discussion on the issue in November 2026.
Roadmap
This review mirrors a growing trend in municipalities that utilize community choice aggregation programs to navigate the complex landscape of renewable energy investments. Evanston is now assessing how these structures compare against direct renewable infrastructure development to avoid perceived greenwashing.
The potential shift in how the city manages renewable energy funds may influence the overall strategy of the community choice aggregation program. Residents may see changes in how their local government prioritizes sustainability spending and administrative oversight.
The takeaway
Cities increasingly look to move beyond basic certificate purchases toward direct investment in renewable projects to ensure genuine environmental impact. Local boards remain the primary gatekeepers for ensuring these energy programs remain accountable to the public.
What happens next
The Environment Board is scheduled to continue its deliberations in November 2026 and plans to request formal input from the Utilities Commission.
Further reading
For broader context on local energy initiatives, visit the Electric Vehicles section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Evanston Now.
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Should your local government prioritize tangible sustainability projects over purchasing renewable energy certificates?
