Renewable Electricity Standards Deliver Economic Benefits

A renewable electricity standard (RES) requires electric utilities to gradually increase the amount of renewable energy in their power supplies.

Currently 29 states and the District of Columbia have adopted an RES — for sources such as wind, solar, geothermal, and biopower — to help create reliable markets for renewable energy and reduce the use of polluting fossil fuels.

A review of RES policies shows that utilities are successfully meeting their renewable energy requirements with little or no additional cost to consumers, while supporting rapidly growing renewable energy industries that provide substantial economic benefits.