Is “Green” Energy Really Green?

What REC-backed really means and how to spot greenwashing in Texas retail plans.

By Sarah Mitchell, CFA 7 min read Updated April 2026

A "100% renewable" plan means the REP buys enough RECs to cover your usage — not that green electrons reach your home.
Bundled RECs (sold with the underlying generation) are higher-quality than unbundled offsets.
Texas leads the U.S. in wind generation — most "Texas green" plans are credible.
Watch for plans backed by national wind RECs that have nothing to do with Texas grid impact.

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What a REC actually is

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Bundled vs. unbundled RECs

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Reading the generation source mix

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Texas wind vs. national offsets

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“Buying a REC is real climate action. Buying a "green" plan with no transparency about which RECs is just marketing.”

— Sarah Mitchell, CFA, Energy Market Analyst

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The Bottom Line

What REC-backed really means and how to spot greenwashing in Texas retail plans.

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Sarah Mitchell, CFA

Energy Market Analyst

Sarah covers the Texas deregulated electricity market with a focus on rate analysis, consumer protection, and the math behind every plan. She holds the CFA charter and has 8+ years on the energy desk.

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Editorial Standards

How we research and review.

Independently researched. Every claim is verified against primary sources (PUCT, ERCOT, EFLs).
No paid placement. Rankings are never influenced by advertising or referral compensation.
Reviewed by Sarah Mitchell, CFA. Articles are reviewed by certified energy market analysts.

Read our full standards

Sources

EPA — Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) Reference
ERCOT — Generation Mix Reports
Green-e — REC Certification Standards
EIA — Texas Renewable Energy Profile

Sources are cited for informational purposes. Data may have been updated since publication.

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Frequently asked questions

Common questions related to green.

Where do you get your data? +

We source plan and rate data from public REP filings, the Electricity Facts Label (EFL) every plan must publish, and the live ComparePower.com database. Updates flow daily.

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Is “Green” Energy Really Green?

Key Takeaways

What a REC actually is

Bundled vs. unbundled RECs

Reading the generation source mix

Texas wind vs. national offsets

Save up to 30% on your electricity bill

The Bottom Line

Sarah Mitchell, CFA

How we research and review.

Sources

Find your best plan

Frequently asked questions

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