Adopting Renewable Portfolio Standards
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
ELPC’s overall goal is to accomplish a transition from the region’s current resource portfolio, currently comprised almost exclusively of nuclear and older coal-burning plants, towards a more diverse, sustainable and less polluting portfolio including wind energy, biomass and solar. The Midwest still depends on coal-fired power plants for more than 75% of its electrical power. Coal plants are among the dirtiest sources of power. The Midwest is a rich environment for the development of renewable energy with multiple “windy” states. Utilities that have built electric generating units that use non-renewable fossil resources (coal, nuclear, and natural gas) are not interested in buying electricity generated from renewable resources. However, renewable resources are the fuel of the future and passage of renewable portfolio standards (RPS) in every Midwestern state is a critical step to building a clean energy future.
Renewable energy is energy from the sun, wind, plants, heat from the earth, or other sources that do not harm the environment. These sources of energy can be an important part of our energy supply and can help reduce acid rain, smog, and nuclear waste. ELPC continues to lead the fight to pass or increase Renewable Portfolio Standards in every Midwestern state. Currently Iowa and Wisconsin have RPS requirements (2% and 2.2% respectively) while Xcel Energy of Minnesota has a 15% RPS requirement. Illinois and Michigan represent good opportunities for passage of RPS’s in the near future.
Tags: RPS
