Momentum Builds - States Raise Bar on Renewable Energy
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Momentum Builds
States Raise Bar on Renewable Energy
The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) projects that the 21 states plus the District of Columbia that have adopted renewable electricity standards are on track to cut carbon dioxide emissions by 108 million metric tons by 2020. That’s comparable to taking 17.7 million cars off the road. By 2020, UCS projects that cooperating states will produce more than 46,000 megawatts of clean energy, enough to power 28.5 million homes.
Individual states have set their own standards, requiring that renewable power sources comprise a certain percentage of their energy use. Targets range from 4 to 30 percent, with target dates ranging from 2010 to 2025. Currently nine additional states are considering adopting a standard, while one may increase its substantial existing standard.
All this movement should help push Washington into stepping up to legislate a federal standard of 20 percent renewable energy by 2020. That would nearly quadruple current cumulative state requirements for production of renewable energy.
To date, economic incentives have prompted 20 percent of U.S. utilities to launch green energy programs. According to a researcher for CyberTech, that’s 600 utilities giving 40 million customers in 34 states the ability to purchase renewable energy. The goal now is to create demand.
For state targets visit UCSUSA.org and search "Maps" then "Renewable Electricity Standards."
