On Wed. Representative Markey posted a bill that would create a Federal Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS). The bill proposes that a certain percentage of the electricity generated in the country comes from renewable sources. The bill proposes the following schedule:
Year Required %
2012 ……………………….. 6.0%
2013 ……………………….. 6.0%
2014 ……………………….. 8.5%
2015 ……………………….. 8.5%
2016 ……………………….. 11.0%
………………………..
2023 ……………………….. 21.0%
2024 ……………………….. 23.0%
2025 – 2039 …………….. 25.0%
Overall, this bill is a modest proposal. Currently, 31 states plus D.C. have various forms of a RPS already in place. For example under this bill the country would be generating 21% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2022. This compares well with Arizona, for example which has set 12% for its 2022 goal. And it compares well with NJ which currently requires 22.5% by the same time frame. Please note that under the recently released EMP NJ is proposing to increase its 2022 goals to 30%. It does not compare as well as California which is going to require 33% of its electricity to come from renewable sources by 2020. New York has targeted 25% of its electricity should come from renewable sources by 2013.
There are several good things in this bill. First, by creating a national RPS there will be a drive to changing how we create energy from fossil fuels to renewable energy. Second, the bill has, like almost all environmental bills, a clause which allows States to do better than the Federal government has proposed. So, even if this bill is enacted, California’s goal of 33% by 2020 will not be negatively affected by the Fed’s goal of 17.5%. NJ can continue to pursue its goals of 30% by 2020 as well.