States have been very active in the past year revising their Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS), which require that a specified percentage of the electricity that utilities sell comes from renewable resources. States have created these standards to diversify their energy resources, promote domestic energy production and encourage economic development. Renewable energy policies help drive the nation’s $64 billion market for wind, solar and other renewable energy sources. These policies can play an integral role in state efforts to diversify their energy mix, promote economic development and reduce emissions. Roughly half of the growth in U.S. renewable energy generation since the beginning of the 2000's can be attributed to state renewable energy requirements.

Iowa was the first state to establish an RPS and since then, more than half of states have established renewable energy targets. Thirty states, Washington, D.C., and three territories have adopted an RPS, while seven states and one territory have set renewable energy goals.

State renewable portfolio standard policies vary widely on several elements including RPS targets, the entities they include, the resources eligible to meet requirements and cost caps. In many states, standards are measured by the percentage of retail electric sales. Iowa and Texas, however, require specific amounts of renewable energy capacity rather than percentages and Kansas requires a percentage of peak demand. While most state targets are between 10% and 45%, 14 states—California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Mexico, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, as well as Washington, D.C. Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands—have requirements of 50% or greater. RPS requirements can apply only to investor-owned utilities (IOUs), although many states also include municipalities and electric cooperatives (Munis and Co-ops), sometimes with a lower target. Utilities that are subject to these mandates must obtain renewable energy credits or certificates ( RECs )—which represent the environmental benefits of one megawatt-hour of renewable energy generation. RECs are created when renewable energy is sent out to the grid and are used to verify that utilities are meeting their targets. Eligible resources for RPS compliance include wind, solar, biomass, geothermal and some hydroelectric facilities—depending on the size and vintage. Several states also include additional resources such as landfill gas, tidal energy, combined heat and power, and even energy efficiency. According to Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 20 states and Washington, D.C., have cost caps in their RPS policies to limit increases to a certain percentage of ratepayers’ bills. One state caps RPS gross procurement costs.

To promote a diversified resource mix and encourage deployment of certain technologies, states have established carve-outs and renewable energy credit multipliers within their RPSs for specific energy technologies, such as offshore wind or rooftop solar. Carve-outs require a certain percentage of the overall renewable energy requirement to be met with a specific technology, while credit multipliers award additional renewable energy credits for electricity produced by certain technologies. At least 21 states and Washington, D.C., have credit multipliers, carve-outs, or both for certain energy technologies in their RPS policies.

States and territories with Renewable Portfolio Standards States and territories with a voluntary renewable energy standard or target States and territories with no standard or target

Table: Renewable Portfolio Standards or Voluntary Targets

Note: States and territories listed in italics have voluntary renewable energy goals.

Arizona

Title: Renewable Energy Standard.

Renewable Energy Standard. Established: 2006.

2006. Requirement: 15% by 2025.

15% by 2025. Applicable Sectors: Investor-owned utility, retail supplier.

Investor-owned utility, retail supplier. Cost Cap: None.

None. Details: Distributed Generation: 30% of annual requirement in 2012 and thereafter. The state has several credit multipliers for different technologies.

Distributed Generation: 30% of annual requirement in 2012 and thereafter. The state has several credit multipliers for different technologies. Enabling Statute, Code or Order: Ariz. Admin. Code §14-2-1801 et seq.

California

Colorado

Title: Renewable Energy Standard.

Renewable Energy Standard. Established: 2004.

2004. Requirement: 30% by 2020 (IOUs); 10% or 20% for municipalities and electric cooperatives depending on size; 100% clean energy by 2050 for utilities serving 500,000 or more customers.

30% by 2020 (IOUs); 10% or 20% for municipalities and electric cooperatives depending on size; 100% clean energy by 2050 for utilities serving 500,000 or more customers. Applicable Sectors: Investor owned utility, municipal utilities, cooperative utilities.

Investor owned utility, municipal utilities, cooperative utilities. Cost Cap: Approximately 2%.

Approximately 2%. Details: For distributed generation, 3% of IOU retail sales by 2020, 1% of cooperative retail sales by 2020 (for those providing service to 10,000 or more meters) or 0.75% of cooperative retail sales by 2020 (for those providing service to less than 10,000 meters). The state has several credit multipliers for different technologies. Additionally, in 2019, Colorado enacted legislation requiring utilities serving 500,000 or more customers to supply 100% of retail sales with clean energy sources by 2050 so long as meeting such requirements is technically and economically feasible and in the public interest.

For distributed generation, 3% of IOU retail sales by 2020, 1% of cooperative retail sales by 2020 (for those providing service to 10,000 or more meters) or 0.75% of cooperative retail sales by 2020 (for those providing service to less than 10,000 meters). The state has several credit multipliers for different technologies. Additionally, in 2019, Colorado enacted legislation requiring utilities serving 500,000 or more customers to supply 100% of retail sales with clean energy sources by 2050 so long as meeting such requirements is technically and economically feasible and in the public interest. Enabling Statute, Code or Order: Colo. Rev. Stat. §40-2-124; Senate Bill 252 (2013); Senate Bill 263 (2019).

Connecticut

Title: Renewables Portfolio Standard.

Renewables Portfolio Standard. Established: 1998.

1998. Requirement: 44% by 2030.

44% by 2030. Applicable Sectors: Investor-owned utility, local government, retail supplier.

Investor-owned utility, local government, retail supplier. Cost Cap: Approximately 6%.

Approximately 6%. Details: Class I renewable energy sources (including distributed generation): 20% by 2020. Class I or II (biomass, waste-to-energy and certain hydropower projects): 3% by 2010. Class III (combined heat and power, waste heat recovery and conservation): 4% by 2010.

Class I renewable energy sources (including distributed generation): 20% by 2020. Class I or II (biomass, waste-to-energy and certain hydropower projects): 3% by 2010. Class III (combined heat and power, waste heat recovery and conservation): 4% by 2010. Enabling Statute, Code or Order: Conn. Gen. Stat. §16-245a et seq.; Conn. Gen. Stat. §16-1; Senate Bill 9 (2018).

Delaware

Title: Renewables Energy Portfolio Standard.

Renewables Energy Portfolio Standard. Established: 2005.

2005. Requirement: 25% by 2025-2026.

25% by 2025-2026. Applicable Sectors: Investor-owned utility, local government, retail supplier.

Investor-owned utility, local government, retail supplier. Cost Cap: Approximately 3%.

Approximately 3%. Details: Photovoltaics: 3.5% requirement by 2025-2026. The state has multiple credit multipliers that apply to different technologies.

Photovoltaics: 3.5% requirement by 2025-2026. The state has multiple credit multipliers that apply to different technologies. Enabling Statute, Code or Order: Del. Code Ann. 26 §351 et seq..

Hawaii

Illinois

Title: Renewable Portfolio Standard.

Renewable Portfolio Standard. Established: 2001 (voluntary target); 2007 (standard).

2001 (voluntary target); 2007 (standard). Requirement: 25% by 2025-2026.

25% by 2025-2026. Applicable Sectors: Investor-owned utility, retail supplier.

Investor-owned utility, retail supplier. Cost Cap: Approximately 1%.

Approximately 1%. Details: Distributed Generation: 1% of annual requirement beginning in 2015 for IOUs. Wind: 75% of annual requirement for IOUs, 60% of annual requirement for alternative retail electric suppliers. Photovoltaics: 6% of annual requirement beginning in 2015-2016.

Distributed Generation: 1% of annual requirement beginning in 2015 for IOUs. Wind: 75% of annual requirement for IOUs, 60% of annual requirement for alternative retail electric suppliers. Photovoltaics: 6% of annual requirement beginning in 2015-2016. Enabling Statute, Code or Order: Ill. Rev. Stat. ch. 20 §688 (2001); Ill. Rev. Stat. ch. 20 §3855/1-75 (2007); Senate Bill 2814 (2016).

Indiana

Title: Clean Energy Portfolio Goal.

Clean Energy Portfolio Goal. Established: 2011.

2011. Requirement: 10% by 2025.

10% by 2025. Applicable Sectors: Investor-owned utility, municipal utilities, cooperative utilities, retail supplier.

Investor-owned utility, municipal utilities, cooperative utilities, retail supplier. Cost Cap: None.

None. Details: 30% of the goal may be met with clean coal technology, nuclear energy, combined heat and power systems, natural gas that displaces electricity from coal and other alternative fuels.

30% of the goal may be met with clean coal technology, nuclear energy, combined heat and power systems, natural gas that displaces electricity from coal and other alternative fuels. Enabling Statute, Code or Order: Ind. Code §8-1-37.

Iowa

Title: Alternative Energy Law.

Alternative Energy Law. Established: 1983.

1983. Requirement: 105 MW of generating capacity for IOUs.

105 MW of generating capacity for IOUs. Applicable Sectors: Investor-owned utility.

Investor-owned utility. Cost Cap: None.

None. Enabling Statute, Code or Order: Iowa Code §476.41 et seq.

Kansas

Title: Renewable Energy Goal.

Renewable Energy Goal. Established: 2009 (standard); 2015 (goal).

2009 (standard); 2015 (goal). Requirement: 15% by 2015-2019; 20% by 2020.

15% by 2015-2019; 20% by 2020. Applicable Sectors: Investor-owned utility.

Investor-owned utility. Cost Cap: Caps gross RPS procurement costs.

Caps gross RPS procurement costs. Details: 20% requirement for peak demand capacity.

20% requirement for peak demand capacity. Enabling Statute, Code or Order: Kan Stat. Ann. §66-1256 et seq.; Goal: Senate Bill 91.

Maine

Title: Renewables Portfolio Standard.

Renewables Portfolio Standard. Established: 1999.

1999. Requirement: 80% by 2030; statewide target of 100% renewables by 2050.

80% by 2030; statewide target of 100% renewables by 2050. Applicable Sectors: Investor-owned utility, retail supplier.

Investor-owned utility, retail supplier. Cost Cap: Approximately 15%.

Approximately 15%. Details: Maine updated its RPS requirements in 2019 to include an additional 40% requirement for certain renewable sources (Class IA) in addition to a 10% requirement by 2022 and each year thereafter for Class I (new) sources and 30% requirement for Class II resources. The state also has separate goals for wind energy: 2,000 MW of installed capacity by 2015; 3,000 MW of installed capacity by 2020, including offshore and coastal; and 8,000 MW of installed capacity by 2030, including 5,000 MW from offshore and coastal. The state has a credit multiplier for community-based renewable energy.

Maine updated its RPS requirements in 2019 to include an additional 40% requirement for certain renewable sources (Class IA) in addition to a 10% requirement by 2022 and each year thereafter for Class I (new) sources and 30% requirement for Class II resources. The state also has separate goals for wind energy: 2,000 MW of installed capacity by 2015; 3,000 MW of installed capacity by 2020, including offshore and coastal; and 8,000 MW of installed capacity by 2030, including 5,000 MW from offshore and coastal. The state has a credit multiplier for community-based renewable energy. Enabling Statute, Code or Order: Me. Rev. Stat. Ann. 35-A §3210 et seq.; Me. Rev. Stat. Ann. 35-A §3401 et seq. (wind energy); Senate File 457 (2019).

Maryland

Title: Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard.

Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard. Established: 2004.

2004. Requirement: 30.5% in 2020; 50% in 2030.

30.5% in 2020; 50% in 2030. Applicable Sectors: Investor-owned utility, local government, retail supplier.

Investor-owned utility, local government, retail supplier. Cost Cap: Approximately 7%.

Approximately 7%. Details: In 2019, Maryland enacted legislation increasing its near-term RPS targets and carveouts for solar and offshore wind. It also extended its RPS targets out to 2030 . The bill increased the solar carveout from 2.5% to 6% in 2020, with an increasing annual percentage carveout up to 14.5% in 2030. It also increased offshore wind from a 2.5% maximum in 2017 to a 10% maximum in 2025, including an increasing megawatt requirement for Round 2 offshore wind projects in later compliance years.

In 2019, Maryland enacted legislation increasing its near-term RPS targets and carveouts for solar and offshore wind. It also extended its RPS targets out to 2030 The bill increased the solar carveout from 2.5% to 6% in 2020, with an increasing annual percentage carveout up to 14.5% in 2030. It also increased offshore wind from a 2.5% maximum in 2017 to a 10% maximum in 2025, including an increasing megawatt requirement for Round 2 offshore wind projects in later compliance years. Enabling Statute, Code or Order: Md. Public Utilities Code Ann. §7-701 et seq.; Senate Bill 516 (2019).

Massachusetts

Title: Renewable Portfolio Standard.

Renewable Portfolio Standard. Established: 1997.

1997. Requirement: Class I: 35% by 2030 and an additional 1% each year after. Class II: 6.7% by 2020.

Class I: 35% by 2030 and an additional 1% each year after. Class II: 6.7% by 2020. Applicable Sectors: Investor-owned utility, retail supplier.

Investor-owned utility, retail supplier. Cost Cap: Approximately 16%.

Approximately 16%. Details: Photovoltaic: 1,600 MW required by 2020. Class I resources are new sources. Class II (resources in operation by 1997) requirement includes 2.69% renewable energy and 3.5% waste-to-energy.

Photovoltaic: 1,600 MW required by 2020. Class I resources are new sources. Class II (resources in operation by 1997) requirement includes 2.69% renewable energy and 3.5% waste-to-energy. Enabling Statute, Code or Order: Mass. Gen. Laws Ann. ch. 25A §11F; House Bill 4857 (2018).

Michigan

Title: Renewable Energy Standard.

Renewable Energy Standard. Established: 2008; 2016.

2008; 2016. Requirement: 15% by 2021 (standard), 35% by 2025 (goal, including energy efficiency and demand reduction).

15% by 2021 (standard), 35% by 2025 (goal, including energy efficiency and demand reduction). Applicable Sectors: Investor-owned utility, municipal utilities, cooperative utilities, retail supplier.

Investor-owned utility, municipal utilities, cooperative utilities, retail supplier. Cost Cap: Approximately 2.5%.

Approximately 2.5%. Details: The state has several credit multipliers for different technologies.

The state has several credit multipliers for different technologies. Enabling Statute, Code or Order: Mich. Comp. Laws §460.1001 et seq.; Senate Bill 438 (2016).

Minnesota

Title: Renewables Energy Standard.

Renewables Energy Standard. Established: 2007.

2007. Requirement: 26.5% by 2025 (IOUs), 25% by 2025 (other utilities).

26.5% by 2025 (IOUs), 25% by 2025 (other utilities). Applicable Sectors: Investor-owned utility, municipal utilities, cooperative utilities.

Investor-owned utility, municipal utilities, cooperative utilities. Cost Cap: None.

None. Details: Xcel Energy has a separate requirement of 31.5% by 2020; 25% must be from wind or solar. Solar: 1.5% by 2020 (other IOUs); Statewide goal of 10% by 2030.

Xcel Energy has a separate requirement of 31.5% by 2020; 25% must be from wind or solar. Solar: 1.5% by 2020 (other IOUs); Statewide goal of 10% by 2030. Enabling Statute, Code or Order: Minn. Stat. §216B.1691.

Missouri

Title: Renewable Electricity Standard.

Renewable Electricity Standard. Established: 2007.

2007. Requirement: 15% by 2021 (IOUs).

15% by 2021 (IOUs). Applicable Sectors: Investor-owned utility.

Investor-owned utility. Cost Cap: Approximately 1%.

Approximately 1%. Details: Solar-Electric: 2% carve-out.

Solar-Electric: 2% carve-out. Enabling Statute, Code or Order: Mo. Rev. Stat. §393.1020 et seq.

Montana

Title: Renewable Resource Standard.

Renewable Resource Standard. Established: 2005.

2005. Requirement: 15% by 2015.

15% by 2015. Applicable Sectors: Investor-owned utility, retail supplier.

Investor-owned utility, retail supplier. Cost Cap: Approximately 0.1%.

Approximately 0.1%. Enabling Statute, Code or Order: Mont. Code Ann. §69-3-2001 et seq.

Nevada

Title: Energy Portfolio Standard.

Energy Portfolio Standard. Established: 1997.

1997. Requirement: 50% by 2030; non-binding 100% carbon-free by 2050.

50% by 2030; non-binding 100% carbon-free by 2050. Applicable Sectors: Investor-owned utility, retail supplier.

Investor-owned utility, retail supplier. Cost Cap: None.

None. Details: In 2019 Nevada increased its RPS from 25% by 2025 to 50% by 2030 and removed its solar carve-out (6% for 2016-2025). The state has a credit multiplier for photovoltaics and on peak energy savings.

In 2019 Nevada increased its RPS from 25% by 2025 to 50% by 2030 and removed its solar carve-out (6% for 2016-2025). The state has a credit multiplier for photovoltaics and on peak energy savings. Enabling Statute, Code or Order: Nev. Rev. Stat. §704.7801 et seq.; Senate Bill 358 (2019).

New Hampshire

Title: Electric Renewable Portfolio Standard.

Electric Renewable Portfolio Standard. Established: 2007.

2007. Requirement: 25.2% by 2025.

25.2% by 2025. Applicable Sectors: Investor-owned utility, cooperative utilities, retail supplier.

Investor-owned utility, cooperative utilities, retail supplier. Cost Cap: Approximately 7%.

Approximately 7%. Details: Solar: 0.7% new solar in 2020 and after. Requires at least 15% of requirement to be met with new renewables.

Solar: 0.7% new solar in 2020 and after. Requires at least 15% of requirement to be met with new renewables. Enabling Statute, Code or Order: N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. §362-F.

New Jersey

Title: Renewables Portfolio Standard.

Renewables Portfolio Standard. Established: 1991.

1991. Requirement: 50% by 2030.

50% by 2030. Applicable Sectors: Investor-owned utility, retail supplier.

Investor-owned utility, retail supplier. Cost Cap: Approximately 10%.

Approximately 10%. Details: 50% Class I renewables by 2030. 2.5% Class II renewables each year. 5.1% solar-electric by 2021, then gradually reduced to 1.1% by 2031. Offshore wind: 3,500 MW.

50% Class I renewables by 2030. 2.5% Class II renewables each year. 5.1% solar-electric by 2021, then gradually reduced to 1.1% by 2031. Offshore wind: 3,500 MW. Enabling Statute, Code or Order: N.J. Rev. Stat. §48:3-49 et seq.; Assembly Bill 3723 (2018).

New Mexico

Title: Renewables Portfolio Standard.

Renewables Portfolio Standard. Established: 2002.

2002. Requirement: 40% by 2025; 80% renewables by 2040; 100% of electricty supplied by zero-carbon resources by 2045.

40% by 2025; 80% renewables by 2040; 100% of electricty supplied by zero-carbon resources by 2045. Applicable Sectors: Investor-owned utility, cooperative utilities.

Investor-owned utility, cooperative utilities. Cost Cap: None.

None. Details: Solar: 20% by 2020 (IOUs). Wind: 30% by 2020 (IOUs). Other renewables including geothermal, biomass and certain hydro facilities: 5% by 2020 (IOUs). Distributed Generation: 3% by 2020 (IOUs). The state has a credit multiplier for solar energy that was operational before 2012.

Solar: 20% by 2020 (IOUs). Wind: 30% by 2020 (IOUs). Other renewables including geothermal, biomass and certain hydro facilities: 5% by 2020 (IOUs). Distributed Generation: 3% by 2020 (IOUs). The state has a credit multiplier for solar energy that was operational before 2012. Enabling Statute, Code or Order: N.M. Stat. Ann. §62-15; N.M. Stat. Ann. §62-16; Senate Bill 489 (2019).

New York

Title: Renewable Portfolio Standard; Reforming the Energy Vision (REV).

Renewable Portfolio Standard; Reforming the Energy Vision (REV). Established: 2004.

2004. Requirement: 70% renewables by 2030; 100% zero-emissions electrcity requirement by 2040.

70% renewables by 2030; 100% zero-emissions electrcity requirement by 2040. Applicable Sectors: Investor-owned utility, municipal utilities, cooperative utilities, retail supplier.

Investor-owned utility, municipal utilities, cooperative utilities, retail supplier. Cost Cap: None.

None. Details: In 2019, New York increased its RPS from 50% to 70% by 2030. Offshore wind: goal of 2,400 MW by 2030.

In 2019, New York increased its RPS from 50% to 70% by 2030. Offshore wind: goal of 2,400 MW by 2030. Enabling Statute, Code or Order: NY PSC Order Case 03-E-0188; 2015 New York State Energy Plan; Senate Bill 6599 (2019).

North Carolina

Title: Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Portfolio Standard.

Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Portfolio Standard. Established: 2007.

2007. Requirement: 12.5% by 2021 (IOUs); 10% by 2018 (munis and coops).

12.5% by 2021 (IOUs); 10% by 2018 (munis and coops). Applicable Sectors: Investor-owned utility, municipal utilities, cooperative utilities.

Investor-owned utility, municipal utilities, cooperative utilities. Cost Cap: Approximately 1.5%.

Approximately 1.5%. Details: Solar: 0.2% by 2018. Swine Waste: 0.2% by 2018. Poultry Waste: 900,000 MWh by 2015. The state offers credit multipliers for biomass facilities located in cleanfields renewable energy demonstration parks.

Solar: 0.2% by 2018. Swine Waste: 0.2% by 2018. Poultry Waste: 900,000 MWh by 2015. The state offers credit multipliers for biomass facilities located in cleanfields renewable energy demonstration parks. Enabling Statute, Code or Order: N.C. Gen. Stat. §62-133.8.

North Dakota

Title: Renewable and Recycled Energy Objective.

Renewable and Recycled Energy Objective. Established: 2007.

2007. Requirement: 10% by 2015.

10% by 2015. Applicable Sectors: Investor-owned utility, municipal utilities, cooperative utilities.

Investor-owned utility, municipal utilities, cooperative utilities. Cost Cap: None.

None. Enabling Statute, Code or Order: N.D. Cent. Code §49-02-24 et seq.

Ohio

Title: Alternative Energy Resource Standard.

Alternative Energy Resource Standard. Established: 2008.

2008. Requirement: 8.5% by 2026.

8.5% by 2026. Applicable Sectors: Investor-owned utility, retail supplier.

Investor-owned utility, retail supplier. Cost Cap: Approximately 2%.

Approximately 2%. Details: In 2019, Ohio reduced its RPS requirement and eliminated its solar-carveout. The state reduced its RPS from 12.5% to 8.5% by 2026, including reductions in annual incremental targets. Ohio previously enacted a two-year freeze (Senate Bill 310 (2014)) on the state's RPS standard while a panel studied the costs and benefits of the requirement. The freeze was not extended in 2016.

In 2019, Ohio reduced its RPS requirement and eliminated its solar-carveout. The state reduced its RPS from 12.5% to 8.5% by 2026, including reductions in annual incremental targets. Ohio previously enacted a two-year freeze (Senate Bill 310 (2014)) on the state's RPS standard while a panel studied the costs and benefits of the requirement. The freeze was not extended in 2016. Enabling Statute, Code or Order: Ohio Rev. Code Ann. §4928.64 et seq.; House Bill 6 (2019).

Oklahoma

Title: Renewable Energy Goal.

Renewable Energy Goal. Established: 2010.

2010. Requirement: 15% by 2015.

15% by 2015. Applicable Sectors: Investor-owned utility, municipal utilities, cooperative utilities.

Investor-owned utility, municipal utilities, cooperative utilities. Cost Cap: None.

None. Enabling Statute, Code or Order: Okla. Stat. tit. 17 §801.1 et seq.

Oregon

Title: Renewable Portfolio Standard.

Renewable Portfolio Standard. Established: 2007.

2007. Requirement: 25% by 2025 (utilities with 3% or more of the state’s load); 50% by 2040 (utilities with 3% or more of the state’s load); 10% by 2025 (utilities with 1.5–3% of the state's load); 5% by 2025 (utilities with less than 1.5% of the state’s load).

25% by 2025 (utilities with 3% or more of the state’s load); 50% by 2040 (utilities with 3% or more of the state’s load); 10% by 2025 (utilities with 1.5–3% of the state's load); 5% by 2025 (utilities with less than 1.5% of the state’s load). Applicable Sectors: Investor-owned utility, municipal utilities, cooperative utilities, retail supplier.

Investor-owned utility, municipal utilities, cooperative utilities, retail supplier. Cost Cap: Approximately 4%.

Approximately 4%. Details: Photovoltaics: 20 MW by 2020 (IOUs). The state has a credit multiplier for photovoltaics installed before 2016. The state's two investor-owned utilities must phase out coal generation by 2035. By 2025 at least 8% of aggregate electrical capacity must come from small-scale community renewable energy projects with a capacity of 20 megawatts (MW) or less.

Photovoltaics: 20 MW by 2020 (IOUs). The state has a credit multiplier for photovoltaics installed before 2016. The state's two investor-owned utilities must phase out coal generation by 2035. By 2025 at least 8% of aggregate electrical capacity must come from small-scale community renewable energy projects with a capacity of 20 megawatts (MW) or less. Enabling Statute, Code or Order: Or. Rev. Stat. §469a; Senate Bill 1547 (2016).

Pennsylvania

Title: Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard.

Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard. Established: 2004.

2004. Requirement: 18% by 2020-2021.

18% by 2020-2021. Applicable Sectors: Investor-owned utility, retail supplier.

Investor-owned utility, retail supplier. Cost Cap: Approximately 8%.

Approximately 8%. Details: Tier I: 8% by 2020-2021 (includes photovoltaic). Tier II (includes waste coal, distributed generation, large-scale hydropower and municipal solid waste, among other technologies): 10% by 2020-2021. Photovoltaic: 0.5% by 2020-2021.

Tier I: 8% by 2020-2021 (includes photovoltaic). Tier II (includes waste coal, distributed generation, large-scale hydropower and municipal solid waste, among other technologies): 10% by 2020-2021. Photovoltaic: 0.5% by 2020-2021. Enabling Statute, Code or Order: Pa. Cons. Stat. tit. 66 §2814.

Rhode Island

Title: Renewable Energy Standard.

Renewable Energy Standard. Established: 2004.

2004. Requirement: 14.5% by 2019, with increases of 1.5% each year until 38.5% by 2035.

14.5% by 2019, with increases of 1.5% each year until 38.5% by 2035. Applicable Sectors: Investor-owned utility, retail supplier.

Investor-owned utility, retail supplier. Cost Cap: Approximately 13%.

Approximately 13%. Details: The state has a separate long-term contracting standard for renewable energy, which requires electric distribution companies to establish long-term contracts with new renewable energy facilities.

The state has a separate long-term contracting standard for renewable energy, which requires electric distribution companies to establish long-term contracts with new renewable energy facilities. Enabling Statute, Code or Order: R.I. Gen. Laws §39-26-1 et seq.; R.I. Gen. Laws §39-26.1 et seq. (contracting standard); House Bill 7413a (2016).

South Carolina

Title: Voluntary Renewables Portfolio Standard.

Voluntary Renewables Portfolio Standard. Established: 2014.

2014. Requirement: 2% by 2021.

2% by 2021. Applicable Sectors: Investor-owned utility.

Investor-owned utility. Cost Cap: None.

None. Details: Systems less than 1 MW: 1% of aggregate generation capacity, including at least 0.25% of total generation from systems less than 20kW. 1 – 10 MW facilities: 1% of aggregate generation capacity.

Systems less than 1 MW: 1% of aggregate generation capacity, including at least 0.25% of total generation from systems less than 20kW. 1 – 10 MW facilities: 1% of aggregate generation capacity. Enabling Statute, Code or Order: House Bill 1189.

South Dakota

Texas

Title: Renewable Generation Requirement.

Renewable Generation Requirement. Established: 1999.

1999. Requirement: 5,880 MW by 2015. 10,000 MW by 2025 (goal; achieved).

5,880 MW by 2015. 10,000 MW by 2025 (goal; achieved). Applicable Sectors: Investor-owned utility, retail supplier.

Investor-owned utility, retail supplier. Cost Cap: Approximately 3%.

Approximately 3%. Details: Non-wind: 500 MW (goal).

Non-wind: 500 MW (goal). Enabling Statute, Code or Order: Tex. Utilities Code Ann. §39.904.

Utah

Vermont

Title: Renewable Energy Standard.

Renewable Energy Standard. Established: 2005 (voluntary target); 2015 (standard).

2005 (voluntary target); 2015 (standard). Requirement: 55% by 2017; 75% by 2032.

55% by 2017; 75% by 2032. Applicable Sectors: Investor-owned utility, municipal utilities, cooperative utilities, retail supplier.

Investor-owned utility, municipal utilities, cooperative utilities, retail supplier. Cost Cap: Approximately 6% .

Approximately 6% Details: Distributed Generation: 10% by 2032. Energy Transformation: 12% by 2032 (includes weatherization, thermal energy efficiency and heat pumps).

Distributed Generation: 10% by 2032. Energy Transformation: 12% by 2032 (includes weatherization, thermal energy efficiency and heat pumps). Enabling Statute, Code or Order: Vt. Stat. Ann. tit. 30 §8001 et seq.; Standard: House Bill 40.

Virginia

Title: Renewable Portfolio Standard

Renewable Portfolio Standard Established: 2020.

2020. Requirement: 100% renewables by 2045 for Phase II utilities and 2050 for Phase I utilities.

100% renewables by 2045 for Phase II utilities and 2050 for Phase I utilities. Applicable Sectors: Investor-owned utility.

Investor-owned utility. Cost Cap: None.

None. Details: In 2020, the state enacted a mandatory 100% renewables target for Phase I and Phase II utilities. The state had previously implemented a voluntary renewables goal of 15% by 2025. Under the new requirements, Phase I utilities are required to achieve a renewables target of 14% by 2025, 30% by 2030, 65% by 2040, and 100% by 2050. Phase II utilities have an accelerated renewables requirement of 26% by 2025, 41% by 2030, and 100% by 2045. The law further requires utilities to procure a certain amount of generation from solar and onshore wind sources that are located within the state by a specific date.

In 2020, the state enacted a mandatory 100% renewables target for Phase I and Phase II utilities. The state had previously implemented a voluntary renewables goal of 15% by 2025. Under the new requirements, Phase I utilities are required to achieve a renewables target of 14% by 2025, 30% by 2030, 65% by 2040, and 100% by 2050. Phase II utilities have an accelerated renewables requirement of 26% by 2025, 41% by 2030, and 100% by 2045. The law further requires utilities to procure a certain amount of generation from solar and onshore wind sources that are located within the state by a specific date. Enabling Statute, Code or Order: Va. Code §56-585.2; Senate Bill 851 (2020).

Washington

West Virginia

Title: Alternative and Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard- REPEALED.

Alternative and Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard- Established: 2009; Repealed 2015.

2009; Requirement: 10% from 2015-2019, 15% from 2020-2024, 25% by 2025.

10% from 2015-2019, 15% from 2020-2024, 25% by 2025. Applicable Sectors: Investor-owned utilities.

Investor-owned utilities. Cost Cap: None.

None. Details: Goal is applicable to IOUs that serve more than 30,000 residential customers. Goal includes alternative energy sources, including coal technology, coal bed methane, natural gas, combined cycle technologies, waste coal and pumped storage hydroelectric projects.

Goal is applicable to IOUs that serve more than 30,000 residential customers. Goal includes alternative energy sources, including coal technology, coal bed methane, natural gas, combined cycle technologies, waste coal and pumped storage hydroelectric projects. Enabling Statute, Code or Order: W. Va. Code §24-2F; Repeal: House Bill 2001.

Wisconsin

Title: Renewable Portfolio Standard.

Renewable Portfolio Standard. Established: 1998.

1998. Requirement: 10% by 2015.

10% by 2015. Applicable Sectors: Investor-owned utility, municipal utilities, cooperative utilities.

Investor-owned utility, municipal utilities, cooperative utilities. Cost Cap: None.

None. Details: Standard varies by utility. 2011-2014: utilities may not decrease its renewable energy percentage below 2010 percentages. 2015: utilities must increase renewable energy percentages by at least 6% above their 2001-2003 average. Utilities may not decrease their renewable energy percentage after 2015.

Standard varies by utility. 2011-2014: utilities may not decrease its renewable energy percentage below 2010 percentages. 2015: utilities must increase renewable energy percentages by at least 6% above their 2001-2003 average. Utilities may not decrease their renewable energy percentage after 2015. Enabling Statute, Code or Order: Wisc. Stat. §196.378.

Washington, D.C.

Guam

Title: Renewable Energy Portfolio Goal.

Renewable Energy Portfolio Goal. Established: 2008.

2008. Requirement: 25% by 2035.

25% by 2035. Applicable Sectors: Investor-owned utility, municipal utilities, cooperative utilities.

Investor-owned utility, municipal utilities, cooperative utilities. Cost Cap: Data unavailable.

Data unavailable. Details: Goal applies to net electricity sales.

Goal applies to net electricity sales. Enabling Statute, Code or Order: Guam Public Law §29-62.

Northern Mariana Islands

Title: Renewables Portfolio Standard.

Renewables Portfolio Standard. Established: 2007; goal reduced in 2014.

2007; goal reduced in 2014. Requirement: 20% by 2016.

20% by 2016. Applicable Sectors: Investor-owned utility, municipal utilities, cooperative utilities.

Investor-owned utility, municipal utilities, cooperative utilities. Cost Cap: Data unavailable.

Data unavailable. Details: Requirement applies to net electricity sales. Requirement allows for non-compliance if it is not cost-effective.

Requirement applies to net electricity sales. Requirement allows for non-compliance if it is not cost-effective. Enabling Statute, Code or Order: N. M. I. Public Law §15-23; House Bill 165 (2014).

Puerto Rico

Title: Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard.

Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard. Established: 2010.

2010. Requirement: 40% by 2025; 60% by 2040; 100% by 2050.

40% by 2025; 60% by 2040; 100% by 2050. Applicable Sectors: Investor-owned utility, municipal utilities, cooperative utilities.

Investor-owned utility, municipal utilities, cooperative utilities. Cost Cap: Data unavailable.

Data unavailable. Details: In 2019, Puerto Rico increased its RPS and set additional long-term targets. The near-term target increased from 20% by 2035 to 40% by 2025.

In 2019, Puerto Rico increased its RPS and set additional long-term targets. The near-term target increased from 20% by 2035 to 40% by 2025. Enabling Statute, Code or Order: PR S 1519 (2010); PR H 2610 (2010); PR S 1121 (2019).

U.S. Virgin Islands

Title: Renewables Portfolio Targets.

Renewables Portfolio Targets. Established: 2009.

2009. Requirement: 20% by 2015; 25% by 2020; 30% by 2025; up to 51% after 2025.

20% by 2015; 25% by 2020; 30% by 2025; up to 51% after 2025. Applicable Sectors: Investor-owned utility, municipal utilities, cooperative utilities.

Investor-owned utility, municipal utilities, cooperative utilities. Cost Cap: Data unavailable.

Data unavailable. Details: Standard applies to peak demand generating capacity. Standard will increase until a majority of capacity is from renewable or alternative energy.

Standard applies to peak demand generating capacity. Standard will increase until a majority of capacity is from renewable or alternative energy. Enabling Statute, Code or Order: VI B 9 (2009).

Sources:

Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency, Renewable Portfolio Standards. (Raleigh, N.C. State University, 2017).

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, U.S. Renewables Portfolio Standards 2019 Annual Status Update (cost cap information).

National Conference of State Legislatures.