ShutterstockState legislatures are standing behind renewable energy standards.
State laws requiring utilities to sell a certain percentage of clean energy have been attacked across the nation over the past year. But these renewable portfolio standards have been holding their own just fine.
Not only were all of the legislative efforts to roll back such standards defeated, but some states actually strengthened their laws, requiring still more clean energy to flow through the grid. From Bloomberg:
None of the 26 bills to roll back requirements passed before most state legislature sessions ended, according to a July 9 report from Colorado State University’s Center for the New Energy Economy. Eight states voted to strengthen or modify laws that require utilities to purchase electricity produced from renewable sources.
Challenges to so-called renewable portfolio standards in effect in 30 states have increased since the lobby group American Legislative Exchange Council released model legislation in October that state lawmakers are using as a blueprint to try to water down rules supporting wind and solar energy.
“There was a big push to slow down progress after ALEC got involved but the momentum is in renewable energy’s favor,” Adam Browning, executive director of the San Francisco-based Vote Solar Initiative, said … in an interview. “Poll after poll shows that Americans want clean, renewable energy and support these policies.”
Here is summary of some of the higher-profile efforts to roll back renewable standards, from the Center for the New Energy Economy’s report [PDF]:
KS HB 2241 (similar: SB 82): Repeal 20% by 2020 goal; amend to 15% by 2018. Result: Died in committee, session closed.
MO HB 44: Extend eligibility to existing hydro. Result: Stalled in the Senate, session closed.
NC HB 298 (SB 365): Originally proposed a full repeal. Amended to freeze requirement at 6% by 2015. Result: Appears to have stalled. …
OH SB 34: Repeal standard. Result: Appears to have stalled.
TX HB 2026: Repeal standard. Result: Stalled in committee, regular session closed.
WV HB 2609 (similar: HB 2564): HB 2609 repeals the state’s RPS while HB 2564 delays implementation. Result: Died in committee, session closed.
WI SB 47: Freeze graduated requirements at current levels. Result: Appears to be stalled in committee.
Tough luck, ALEC. Americans want cleaner sources of energy, not more climate-changing filth.
