Full Title: The High Cost of Renewable Electricity Mandates
Author(s): Robert Bryce
Publisher(s): The Manhattan Institute
Publication Date: February 1, 2012
Full Text: Download Resource
Description (excerpt):
Motivated by a desire to reduce carbon emissions, and in the absence of federal action to do so, 29 states (and the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico) have required utility companies to deliver specified minimum amounts of electricity from “renewable” sources, including wind and solar power. California recently adopted the most stringent of these so-called renewable portfolio standards (RPS), requiring 33 percent of its electricity to be renewable by 2020.
Proponents of the RPS plans say that the mandated restrictions will reduce harmful emissions and spur job growth, by stimulating investment in green technologies.