State and Local Programs Show It: Renewable Standards Work (Rep. Diana DeGette)

The concept of an Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) is not new, but recently it has been gaining support like never before. The Energy and Commerce Committee has considered it in previous energy debates, and the Senate has passed a version of it three times.

The real action, however, on renewable electricity has been at the state and local level. Twenty-three states, including my home state of Colorado, plus the District of Columbia, have passed versions of the RPS.

In every single one of these instances, opponents have claimed that such a transition to renewable power couldn’t be done, or that the timeline wasn’t reasonable. Or there weren’t sufficient renewables. Or that it would cost too much money.

I would like to report that by any measure, these state programs have been wildly successful and indeed cost effective.