Renewables Portfolio Standards in the United States: A Status Report with Data Through 2007

Publication Number:    LBNL-1000-2009-028

Abstract:

As the popularity of renewables portfolio standards (RPS) has grown, so too has the need to keep up with the design, early experience, and projected impacts of these programs. This report -- the first in a regular series -- seeks to fill this need by providing basic, factual information on RPS policies in the United States. 

Renewables portfolio standards are a relatively recent addition to the renewable energy policy landscape, and these policies continue to evolve. Keeping up with the design, early experience, and projected impacts of these programs is a challenge. This report seeks to fill this need by providing basic, factual information on RPS policies in the United States. It focuses on state-level initiatives, though a later section briefly discusses Federal developments as well. The report does not cover municipal-level renewable energy goals, unless required by state law. Similarly, this report focuses on mandatory state RPS requirements, though it also touches on non-binding renewable energy goals, especially when those goals are developed by state law or regulation. This report is the first of what is envisioned to be an ongoing series; as such, it concentrates on key recent developments, while also providing basic information on historical RPS experience and design.

The report begins with an overview of state RPS policies: where they have been developed, when, and with what design features. Though most RPS programs are still in their infancy, the report summarizes the early impacts of these policies on renewable energy development, and provides a forecast of possible future impacts. It then turns to the implications of the growing trend towards solar and/or distributed generation set-asides within state RPS programs. Next, the report highlights state RPS compliance levels, enforcement actions, and cost impacts, as well as key developments in REC markets. Finally, the report provides a brief overview of Federal RPS proposals. 

Author(s):  Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Kori Bird, Mark Bolinger, Susannah Churchill, Karlynn Cory, Jeff Deyette, Sari Fink, Ed Holt, Kevin Porter

Commission Division:    Non-CEC Document On Line (1000)

Office/Program:    External Agency

PIER Program Area:   

Date Published:    April 2009

Date On Line:    08/03/2009

Acrobat PDF File Size: 40 pages, 1,500 kilobytes**