Over the past few years, the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) has conducted several analyses examining the costs and benefits of a national renewable electricity standard, also called a Renewable Portfolio Standard or RPS. The renewable electricity standard promotes a clean, diverse energy supply by requiring electricity suppliers to gradually increase their use of renewable energy sources like wind, solar, bioenergy, and geothermal.

In February 2002 and September 2003, UCS used a modified version of the U.S. Energy Information Administration’s (EIA) National Energy Modeling System (NEMS) computer model to examine two different national renewable standards. In 2002, we evaluated the consumer, economic, and environmental costs and benefits of a 20 percent by 2020 national standard. We presented results at the national level, as well as for selected regions and states. In 2003, we examined the costs and benefits of a 10 percent by 2020 national standard, and provided national and selected state-level results.

To view our findings from the 2002 and 2003 Renewing Where We Live analyses, Click on the fact sheet (PDF) links below. 

In our more recent analysis, Renewing America's Economy, we used the 2004 version of the EIA NEMS computer model to examine the costs and benefits of both a 10 percent and a 20 percent by 2020 renewable standard along with tax credits for renewable energy. To view our national and selected state-level findings for this analysis, use the related link in the box above.

NATIONAL RESULTS - 20% by 2020 Renewable Standard

REGIONAL RESULTS - 20% by 2020 Renewable Standard
Midwest
Mountain
Northwest
Plains

STATE RESULTS - 20% by 2020 Renewable Standard
Arizona
Colorado
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Michigan
Minnesota
Missouri
Nebraska
New Mexico
Nevada
North Dakota
Ohio
South Dakota
Wisconsin