PJM Environmental Information Services

PJM Environmental Information Services, Inc. (PJM EIS) owns and administers the Generation Attribute Tracking System (GATS).

PJM EIS is a wholly-owned subsidiary of PJM Technologies, Inc. PJM EIS was formed to provide environmental and emissions attributes reporting and tracking services to its subscribers in support of renewable portfolio standards and other information disclosure requirements that may be implemented by government agencies. GATS tracks generation attributes and the ownership of the attributes as they are traded or used to meet government standards.

Generation Attribute Tracking System

The Generation Attribute Tracking System (GATS) provides information about how megawatt-hours of electricity were generated. The data are used to meet the information disclosure requirements of states with fuel mix and emissions disclosure requirements or that have renewable portfolio standard requirements. Participation in GATS is by paid subscription.

The GATS database contains information for each individual generation unit. It creates generator-specific electronic certificates that identify the generation attributes necessary for electricity suppliers to satisfy state policies and to document claims made about “green” power. Data in the GATS include: megawatt-hours produced, emissions data (primarily from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and supplemented from other sources), fuel source, location, state program qualification and ownership of attributes for each megawatt-hour tracked.

The attributes or characteristics of the generation are recorded into the database as an electronic certificate after the electricity is produced. There is one certificate with a unique serial number identifying the attributes of the generation for each megawatt-hour produced. For owners of generation a certificate provides a means to sell or transfer the generation attributes to a buyer. For state agencies seeking effective ways to implement policies and regulations, certificates and a central database provide a means to monitor, verify and document compliance. For load serving entities the system is an effective, efficient means to comply with attribute disclosure and portfolio standards. more >