Setting an energy standard

When it comes to renewable energy goals, Colorado keeps raising the bar. It was the first state to implement a renewable energy standard (RES) back in 2004 and has twice raised it, now boasting one of the highest in the nation at 30 percent by 2020.

While Colorado and over half of the other states have embraced renewable energy goals and continue to raise and polish them, some have not acted at all. That’s particularly true in the Southeast. While a few southern states have been quietly investigating the possibilities of their own standards, some will likely never adopt an RES, unless they are required by federal law.

Legislation introduced for National Clean Energy Standard

Legislation introduced this morning would set the first national standard for clean energy in the US.

Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Chair Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) introduced the Clean Energy Standard Act of 2012, which would require utilities to source a set percentage of their energy from "clean" sources.  Although the kinds of energy defined as "clean" are much broader than Renewable Energy Standards, in place in 29 states, the legislation has little chance of passing the GOP-dominated House. Included in "clean" energy are renewables, nuclear, natural gas and clean coal.