In order to ensure healthy air and a stable climate for our children and grandchildren, we must make responsible decisions about our energy sources. Existing technologies and forward-thinking policies offer practical and affordable solutions to reduce our dependence on the fossil fuels that currently dominate America’s electricity system. This system threatens the health of our communities by polluting the air and contributing to global warming. If left unchecked, heat-trapping emissions, such as carbon dioxide (CO₂), are expected to cause irreversible damage to communities throughout the United States and around the world.

Practical solutions do exist. For example, more than 40 percent of U.S. states have adopted a renewable electricity standard—a policy that requires electricity suppliers to gradually increase their use of renewable energy such as wind, solar, geothermal, and bioenergy. These states are demonstrating that renewable standards are an affordable solution to reduce CO₂ and other unhealthy air emissions, while alleviating the harmful impact that fossil fuel extraction, transport, and use have on land and water resources.

States Demonstrate Potential
Renewable electricity standards have been enacted in 21 states and the District of Columbia. UCS projects that these standards will result in the development of 46,270 megawatts (MW) of new renewable energy capacity by 2020—an increase of 340 percent over total U.S. levels (excluding hydro) in 1997.

CO2 Reduction from State Renewable Electricity Standards*

*Projected reductions assuming states achieve annual renewable energy targets.

This commitment to increasing renewable energy at the state level will have a significant impact on reducing CO₂ emissions. By 2020, state standards will reduce total annual CO₂ emissions by 108.1 million metric tons (MMT)—the equivalent of taking 17.7 million cars off the road or planting 25.9 million acres of trees—an area larger than the Commonwealth of Virginia. The standards in California, New Jersey, Minnesota, New York, and Texas alone make up nearly 60 percent of the projected reductions.

In addition to realizing significant reduction of harmful emissions, the states have also found that renewable standards are an effective means to help meet critical fuel diversity, energy security, and economic goals. In fact, this approach has been so successful that several states—including Arizona, California, Nevada, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Texas and, most recently, Minnesota, New Mexico, and Colorado—have revisited and significantly increased or accelerated their annual requirements.

A National Standard Significantly Increases Climate Benefits
While many states are making important strides in reducing CO₂ emissions with renewable electricity standards, substantially greater benefits could be achieved if Congress adopted a national standard. A 2004 UCS analysis examined the costs and benefits of a 20 percent by 2020 renewable standard, and found that America would increase its total renewable power to 180,000 MW in 2020—nearly 11 times more than current levels.[3] 

The 20 percent national standard would reduce the projected growth in power plant CO₂ emissions under a business-as-usual scenario by more than half, or 434 MMT per year by 2020. This level of reductions is equivalent to taking nearly 71 million cars off the road or planting 104 million acres of trees—an area approximately the size of Oregon and Washington combined. Even a 10 percent standard would deliver substantial climate benefits, reducing annual CO₂ emissions by 166 MMT by 2020. Studies by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Energy Information Administration have shown similar results.

Comparison on CO2 Reduction from State and National Renewable Electricity Standards

Source: UCS

Renewable Electricity Standards Are a Smart Climate Solution
With only five percent of the world population, the United States produces nearly 25 percent of annual global heat-trapping emissions.[4]  Electricity generation accounts for fully one-third of these emissions.[5]  We have a responsibility and a compelling interest to significantly reduce these harmful emissions. Renewable electricity standards offer a smart, affordable climate solution with a proven track record.