Commissioners unanimously agreed to spend nearly $8,600 to purchase “green tags” to offset about 3 percent of the city government’s total electric usage.

The green tags are a way of businesses or organizations to support renewable energy options. Fees for green tags are paid to renewable energy producers in addition to the normal fees the city pays as part of its electric bills.

The city began purchasing the green tags in 2007 after leaders with the Lawrence-based Bowersock Mills and Power Company urged the commission to do so.

The city purchases the green tags from the Bonneville Environmental Foundation, which in turn provides some of the revenue to the Bowersock plant.