Plugging In Renewable Energy

The report evaluates U.S. state commitments to renewable energy, finding that while technical potential is vast, most states lack binding policies. It grades states based on renewable electricity standards (RES) and funds, noting that a small number of states, led by California and Nevada, drive most projected gains, while 34 states received failing grades. The authors argue for a national renewable electricity standard to ensure equitable and cost-effective growth.

• Despite high potential, nonhydroelectric renewable energy provided only 1.8 percent of U.S. electricity in 2001, with 23 states generating less than one percent.
• A small number of states are responsible for the majority of projected renewable energy growth; California alone accounts for 44 percent of all projected new development, and the top five states account for over 80 percent.
• The Union of Concerned Scientists assigned passing grades (C or better) to only 16 states, while 34 states received failing grades of D or F due to a lack of commitment to renewable electricity.
• California and Nevada were the only states to receive A- grades, based on standards that increase renewable electricity sales by one percentage point per year for at least 10 years and cover at least two-thirds of electricity use.
• Thirteen states have adopted renewable electricity standards (RES), which are projected to develop 14,230 MW of new renewable capacity by 2017 and support 7,000 MW of existing generators.
• Fifteen states have implemented renewable electricity funds, projected to invest nearly $4.5 billion over 20 years and support an additional 1,000 MW of new capacity by 2017.
• Voluntary customer choice programs are significantly less effective than state standards and funds; they are projected to add only 0.1 percent of U.S. electricity sales by 2010.
• A national renewable electricity standard of 20 percent by 2020 could reduce U.S. carbon emissions from power plants by nearly 150 MMT compared to business as usual.
• Six states were placed in a "Hall of Shame" for having high renewable energy potential but no commitment to development: Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, and Utah.

APA

Deyett, J., Clemmer, S., & Donovan, D. (2003). Plugging In Renewable Energy. Union of Concerned Scientists. https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/2019-09/plugging_in_renewable_energy.pdf

Chicago

Deyett, Jeff, Steve Clemmer, and Deborah Donovan. Plugging In Renewable Energy. Union of Concerned Scientists, 2003. https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/2019-09/plugging_in_renewable_energy.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Deyett |first1=Jeff |last2=Clemmer |first2=Steve |last3=Donovan |first3=Deborah |title=Plugging In Renewable Energy |publisher=Union of Concerned Scientists |date=May 2003 |url=https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/2019-09/plugging_in_renewable_energy.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{deyett2003plugging, author = {Deyett, Jeff and Clemmer, Steve and Donovan, Deborah}, title = {{Plugging In Renewable Energy}}, institution = {Union of Concerned Scientists}, year = {2003}, month = may, url = {https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/2019-09/plugging_in_renewable_energy.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }