Public Power - June 2008 - (Page 26)

A Patchwork Approach to Renewable Energy BY WILLIAM AT KINSON A look at renewable portfolio standards adopted by states, public power utilities and city governments When it comes to the renewable portfolio standards passed by states, public power utilities and city governments, no two standards are alike. Thus far, 27 states and District of Columbia have passed mandatory renewable portfolio standards, while four states have adopted voluntary standards. Current renewable portfolio standards fall into four groupings: • In 13 states and the District Columbia, the RPS applies to all utilities equally (investor-owned utilities, municipals, and cooperatives); • In six states the RPS differs based on the type of utility; • In eight states municipal utilities are not required to meet an RPS; • Four states have a voluntary RPS. New Hampshire 23.8 percent by 2025, with different percentage minimums for different types of renewables. New Jersey 22.5 percent by 2021, with different percentage requirements for different types of renewables. Pennsylvania 18 percent by 2020. Rhode Island 16 percent by 2020. Wisconsin 10 percent by 2015 based on a very complex formula of required increases and prohibited decreases of renewables during certain time frames between 2006 and 2015. This law, passed in 2006, requires participation by municipal utilities. It replaced legislation passed in 1999 that exempted municipals. States where the RPS applies differently to different types or sizes of utilities California California has a “semi-requirement” of 20 percent by 2010, with an additional goal of 33 percent by 2020. This applies to investor-owned utilities, electric service providers, small and multi-jurisdictional utilities, and community choice aggregators. The law makes publicly owned utilities responsible for implementing and enforcing an RPS that considers the effect of the standard on rates, reliability, financial resources and the environment. While the section of the law applying to IOUs says that “if there is not enough money available from their public benefits charge to pay the above-market cost of the renewables, they cannot be required to make the acquisition,“ said Jerry Jordan, PUBLIC POWER States where the RPS applies to all utilities equally Arizona 15 percent by 2025, in incremental percentages over the years, beginning in 2006. Connecticut 27 percent by 2020, in incremental percentages over the years, with varying percentages for different types of renewables. District of Columbia 11 percent by 2022 with different percentages for different types of renewables divided into two tiers. Hawaii 10 percent by 2010, 15 percent by 2015 and 20 percent by 2020. Illinois 25 percent by 2025 in incremental percentages over the years, beginning in 2008. Maine Maine’s portfolio standards are the highest in the United States. By including hydro 26 JUNE 2008 power and solid waste facilities, Maine has an RPS of 30 percent by 2000. More recent RPS legislation in Maine requires an additional 10 percent new renewable resources by 2017, in incremental percentages over the years beginning in 2008, and for each year after 2017. Maryland 9.5 percent by 2022 for Tier I renewables. 2.5 percent in 2006 through 2018 for Tier II renewables. Massachusetts 4 percent by 2009 (3.5 percent in 2008), then increasing an additional 1 percent each year afterward until the state’s division of energy resources ends additional requirements. Montana 5 percent for 2008 through 2009; 10 percent for 2010 through 2014; and 15 percent for 2015 and each year thereafter.

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Public Power - June 2008

Public Power - June 2008 Contents Perspective 10 Questions Finding Common Ground on Climate Change Solutions A Patchwork Approach to Renewable Energy Whose Grid Is It Anyway? The Little Utility That Could Benchmarking Customer Service Can Prairie Hay Power Your Town? Storming the Control Room Investing in the Smart Grid Coming of Age: Superconducting Cables Community Broadband Economic Development Customer Service Human Resources For Governing Boards Safety Parting Shot

Public Power - June 2008

For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page. If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.