Green Options

The United States have already started down the path of Renewable Portfolio Standards.

There are now almost 30 states with their own RPSes, which require utilities to generate more of their power from renewable sources, like wind and solar and even landfill gas. Different states have set different standards, often with percentages based on years: 15 percent by 2015, for instance. It’s more catchy that way.

Now Congress [...]

House Democrats negotiating a climate and energy bill have reportedly reached a compromise on a renewable energy standard that would require states get 15% of their electricity from renewable sources like solar, wind and biomass.

Two freshmen U.S. senators—who also happen to be cousins—have introduced a bill that would create a national renewable energy standard (RES) of twenty-five percent by 2020.

In an executive order signed on Monday, California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger committed to getting a third of California’s electricity from renewable sources by 2020.

Last month, the Michigan Legislature passed a bill mandating that 10% of the state’s electricity be generated from renewable sources by 2015, and interim targets take effect three years earlier.

However, according to a report from the U.S. Energy Information Administration, during the first half of 2008, renewable sources made up more than 10% of all domestic energy production.

For the period January 1 - June 30, 2008, the United States consumed 50.673 quadrillion Btus (quads) of energy - of which 34.162 quads was from domestic sources and 16.511 quads was imported.

Domestically-produced renewable energy (biomass/biofuels, geothermal, hydropower, solar, wind) totaled 3.606 quads — an amount equal to 10.56% of U.S. energy consumption that is domestically-produced.

Indiana is learning from its fellow “I” state to the west — Illinois — that there are big money and green jobs in wind energy. The Windiana 2008 conference will be held in Indianapolis June 17th and 18th. Said Lt. Governor Becky Skillman, in an article in Inside Indiana Business:

“Indiana is on the verge of explosive growth in wind energy…. There is not one single energy issue or

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A couple of my friends have recently asked about the new renewable energy credit program that our local electricity utility, DTE Energy, is now offering. One friend asked me about it directly, and another raised the question on the state mailing list for the o2 Network. There was an interesting discussion about the topic on the 02 list, and I’ve included some of the information that other people shared on

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According to the American Wind Energy Association, U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) recently told wind power supporters that a House vote on a national renewable portfolio standard (RPS) was likely to happen the week of July 30.

A renewable portfolio standard – also called a renewable energy standard – is a measure requiring utilities to get a certain amount of their power from renewable sources by a particular time.

Last month in

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With over 20 states taking the lead and implementing renewable energy standards that require a certain amount of energy to come from renewable sources, it’s about time that the federal government at least starts talking about action.

The Dow Jones Newswire reports that Congress is “likely” to pass a renewable energy standard – in this instance called a renewable portfolio standard (RPS) – in the next several months. Renewable energy requirements have stronger support

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