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utilities and wind power
Renewable Electricity Standards
Description: The renewable electricity standard (RES), also known as a renewable portfolio standard (RPS), uses market mechanisms to ensure that a growing percentage of electricity is produced from renewable sources, like wind power. The RES provides a predictable, competitive market, within which renewable generators will compete with each other to lower prices.
Benefits of an RES:
Provides Improved Assurance of Cost Recovery:
- A clear Renewable Electricity Standard, whether adopted by utility regulatory commissions or by legislative act, provide utilities greatly increased security for cost recovery as they proceed with renewable energy procurement plans. When renewable energy plans are adopted by regulators or statute, utilities have clear guidance and instruction to which to refer as they seek cost recovery in rate cases.
Helps Keep Electricity Bills Low:
- Diversifying the power supply by developing America’s homegrown renewable energy resources helps shield consumers from spikes in energy prices.
- Does not pick technology "winners" and "losers," but allows renewable energy technologies to compete against each other to further drive down costs.
- Is competitively neutral because it applies equally to all competing market participants.
Spurs Economic Development:
- An RES will create jobs and income in rural areas.
- Each large utility-scale wind turbine that goes on line generates over $1.5 million in economic activity. Each turbine also provides about $5,000 in lease payments per year for 20 years or more to a farmer, rancher or other landowner.
- Wind projects in rural areas contribute significantly to the local tax base.
Strengthens Energy Security:
- Increasing our use of renewable sources diversifies and decentralizes our energy infrastructure.
Helps Achieve Cleaner Air:
- The increased use of electricity from renewable resources can help reduce emissions of harmful air pollutants and of carbon dioxide (a leading greenhouse gas).
For general questions on wind power in general, please send an e-mail to windmail@awea.org. Questions can be directed to Jeff Anthony, AWEA Manager for Utility Programs at janthony@awea.org.
RES Fact Sheet |
Current Status State RES: 25 States and the District of Columbia have adopted RES requirements. Download the fact sheet for more details on each state RPS.
Fact Sheet – State-level Renewable Portfolio Standards
Current Status National RES: A 15 percent national Renewable Electricity Standard passed the U.S. House for the first time in 2007, but was dropped from the bill in the Senate when the energy package failed to secure the 60 votes needed to overcome a filibuster. Adopting a Federal RES continues to be a priority for leaders in Congress.
Fact Sheet - National Renewable Electricity Standard
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For More Information |
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RES Toolkit
A toolkit developed by the UCS to access information on State RES Requirements.
RPS Map
U.S. Map showing which states currently have RES requirements and the target levels (from IREC).
State RES Requirements
A resource with information on each state's RES requirements (from DSIRE).
State RPS Report
A report from the US DOE and Berkely Lab on "Renewables Portfolio Standards in the United States — A Status Report with Data Through 2007"
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