Green Tariffs as Market Accelerators for Corporate Renewable Energy Adoption: A Comprehensive Review of U.S. Programs and their Impact on C&I Decarbonization

This paper provides a comprehensive review of green tariff programs in the United States from 2013 to 2025, examining their role as market accelerators for corporate renewable energy adoption and their impact on commercial and industrial (C&I) decarbonization strategies. Green tariffs represent voluntary utility programs that enable large energy customers to procure renewable electricity directly through their serving utility, offering an alternative pathway to complex bilateral power purchase agreements. Through systematic analysis of 62 active programs across 30 states, this review synthesizes literature on program design, implementation challenges, market impacts, and effectiveness in driving corporate sustainability goals. Key findings indicate that while green tariffs have facilitated over 5,700 MW of renewable capacity additions and attracted major corporate participants, significant barriers remain including limited program capacity, regulatory complexity, and questions around additionality—specifically whether programs drive new renewable development versus reallocating existing resources. The review identifies critical design elements for successful programs, including flexible contracting mechanisms, transparent pricing structures, and alignment with corporate sustainability requirements. This paper contributes to the growing body of knowledge on utility-corporate partnerships in clean energy transition and provides actionable insights for three key stakeholder groups—utilities, regulators, and corporate energy buyers—navigating the evolving renewable energy procurement landscape.