As part of the CRES Action
Plan, The Colorado Renewable Energy Society (CRES) advocates policies that will help move clean energy forward in the state. Among others, these policies include net metering for small renewable and distributed generators, a systems benefit charge, and a minimum clean energy requirement.
 Minimum Clean Energy
Requirement Introduced in Colorado Legislature (Click
here for PDF File)
Bipartisan legislation is introduced in the Colorado General Assembly
(HB 1295) on February 6, 2003 to increase the state’s generation of
renewable energy by 1,800 megawatts by 2020. The bill has bipartisan
support, including both the leadership of the majority and minority
parties in the Colorado House.
Denver Post Editorial
The day after it is introduced in the Colorado House of
Representatives, HB 1295 receives the enthusiastic support of the
Denver Post in an editorial on February 7, 2003.
Click here to read it.
A minimum clean energy requirement is the most market-oriented and least costly policy for expanding the use renewable energy in Colorado's mix of energy resources. Under this policy, every electricity provider in the state would provide a minimum percentage of its electricity from renewable energy resources. If a particular generator does not want to produce the power itself, it can elect to purchase it or a corresponding "credit" from another provider.
Under this policy, the market decides which projects go forward, not government officials. It is designed to promote renewable energy technologies that are the most advanced in terms of market acceptance.
This policy has proven to be effective in advancing renewable energy markets in other states, especially Texas. Based on the experience of these states, we can estimate the cost of this policy for Colorado consumers.
CRES Backgrounder on a Minimum Clean Energy Requirement for Colorado (PDF,
132 kB) CRES prepared this backgrounder for policy makers about how a minimum clean energy requirement would work; 5 pp.; January 2002.
Minimum Clean Energy Requirement
-- The right energy policy for Colorado (PDF, 200 kB)
CRES prepared this short brochure for CRES members and renewable energy supporters outlining why their support for this policy initiative is important.
State Minimum Renewable Energy Requirement
http://www.ucsusa.org/energy/renewable.html
The Union of Concerned Scientists keeps track of the states -- numbering 14 as of October 1, 2001
-- with a minimum clean energy requirement such as the one proposed for Colorado. Select "Renewable Portfolio Standards" from the right-hand menu.
Why is Renewable Energy Policy Necessary in Competitive Markets?
http://www.awea.org/policy/rpsbrief.html#Necessity
Using classic economic theory, the American Wind Energy Association outlines the basis for the public to be involved in setting public policies that favor renewable energy. For starters, the market has no way to value the positive effect of renewable generation on the environment and on the nation's health; October 1997.
Renewables Portfolio Standard -- A Practical Guide (PDF, 351 kB)
http://www.eren.doe.gov/electricity_restructuring/pdfs/narucrps.pdf
Nancy Rader and Scott Hempling; produced for the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners; published on the U.S. Department of Energy's Electricity Restructuring Web site; 139 pp.; September 2001.
Efficiency and Sustainability in Restructured Electricity Markets -- The Renewables Portfolio Standard
http://www.awea.org/policy/rpsej96.html
Nancy Rader and Richard Norgaard; The Electricity Journal; posted with permission on the Web site of the American Wind Energy Association; July 1996.
Costs and Benefits of Increasing Renewable Energy Use
http://www.ucsusa.org/energy/brf.costs.html
Citing their own work and that of the U.S. Department of Energy's Energy Information Administration, the Union of Concerned Scientists estimates that average bills will decrease under a national standard (RPS) requiring 20% of the country's generation come from renewable energy in 2020. Compared with a non-renewable forecast, the cost to consumers would be $1.33 per month. Furthermore, an RPS will mitigate the upward pressure on prices for natural gas.
The Electric Price Impact of Renewable Portfolio Standard in Iowa
(PDF)
http://www.awea.org/policy/documents/009.pdf
This paper, presented at AWEA's WindPower 2000 Conference, concludes that the cost of an RPS in Iowa will be dwarfed by larger uncertainties in electricity markets.
|
