National Renewable Electricity Standard (RES)

Multiple national renewable electricity standard proposals have been introduced during this legislative session. Information about the status of the proposals is available on the American Wind Energy Association’s legislative web page

Policy recommendation:

A national renewable electricity standard should call for 25% of the nation’s electricity to come from renewable energy by 2025. An aggressive near-term target, such as the 10% by 2012 objective called for in the Obama-Biden New Energy for America plan, is essential to ensure rapid renewable deployment. The target levels should increase incrementally in the years that follow.

A national renewable electricity standard (RES) – also known as a renewable portfolio standard (RPS) – would, for the first time, signal a long-term, national commitment to expand the use of renewable energy in the United States. This vital incentive would drive new and greater investment in domestic wind industry manufacturing. Utilities in every state would obtain a minimum percentage of their electricity from renewable sources by a certain date or to purchase tradable credits for renewable electricity produced elsewhere. Twenty-eight states already have renewable electricity standards, and these measures have proven effective and economical as incentives for the development of wind and other renewable energy sources. A national policy would streamline this uneven patchwork and bring renewable energy benefits to all parts of the country.

“Barack Obama and Joe Biden will ensure that 10% of our electricity comes from renewable sources by 2012, and 25% by 2025. This national requirement will spur significant private sector investment in renewable sources of energy and create thousands of new American jobs, especially in rural areas.”

- Obama-Biden New Energy For America Plan