Green energy, or renewable energy, is energy that is generated from a natural, renewable source such as solar, wind, geothermal, biomass, or tidal. Renewable energy is known as green energy because its source is also non-polluting as well as sustainable for future generations.

Conventional sources of energy, such as fossil fuels and coal have several negative impacts on the environment such as carbon emissions and consume a significant amount of land and other resources to extract, refine, and transport. Hydropower, which has been utilized in the US for several decades as a source of electric power, is renewable and nonpolluting but often not considered green energy due to the human, economic, and environmental impacts of dam construction and maintenance.

Green energy utilizes the existing power grid infrastructure for transmission and investment in green energy production is increasing throughout the US, making green energy an option for more and more businesses and homeowners. In recent years, Indiana has been making strides toward providing more green sources of energy, such as wind and biofuels.

The City of Indianapolis is committed to providing programs and incentives to promote the generation and use of green energy as an alternative to conventional energy sources. Led by the Office of Sustainability, these programs and incentives are being developed with the goal of improved air quality and quality of life for all citizens.