The United States is entering a new era where the dangers of climate change are more apparent with every record-breaking wildfire, flood and hurricane that comes to pass. At the same time, a new presidential administration has committed to taking steps to combat the issue and work toward a goal of zero carbon emissions by 2050.
A number of states have already set their own decarbonization goals. According to the National Council of State Legislatures, 30 states, Washington, D.C., and three territories have adopted an RPS, while seven states and one territory have set renewable energy goals.
While most states and territories set ultimate goals to reach net-zero energy for either their power sectors or entire economies by 2050, some states had earlier milestones to reach. If utilities do not reach their RPS requirements, NREL’s best practices say they should have to pay a penalty. However, CESA says some states include “escape hatches” for utilities, which allow reassessment of goals as RPS numbers approach higher levels.
Solar Power World checked in to see how progress was going for the states with early goals. Use the map below to explore.
Solarman says
” If utilities do not reach their RPS requirements, NREL’s best practices say they should have to pay a penalty. However, CESA says some states include “escape hatches” for utilities, which allow reassessment of goals as RPS numbers approach higher levels.”
Unfortunately, this usually goes ‘right on the backs’ of ratepayers in electric rate increases to hit a particular RPS goal. If IOU electric utilities are allowed to get electricity rate increases using “lost revenues” or “stranded assets” filings to the PUC or SCC, then electricity costs for the end user residential ratepayers will continue to increase for years to come. Unless laws change to force investors to “share the pain”, it will be the ratepayer left with the financial responsibility to pay for this RPS bill.