Renewable Energy throughout America:
What State and Local Successes Can Mean for National Energy Policy

Monday, July 7, 2003

            The House Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Caucus, the American Council for Renewable Energy, and the Environmental and Energy Study Institute held a Congressional briefing on the diverse range of successful renewable energy initiatives recently enacted by state and local governments.  While the federal government has yet to pass a comprehensive energy bill, many states and local municipalities have independently passed policies to promote renewable energy technology development, and are doing encouragingly well.  These initiatives include tax incentives, public benefits funds and renewable portfolio standards, and all have played key roles in the effort to increase public awareness and demand for renewable energy.  At this briefing  several state and local officials as they discussed the policies they are implementing, the economic and environmental benefits they are enjoying, and how these efforts can inform the national energy policy debate. 

Briefing Panel:

Ø      Angelina Galiteva, Former Executive Director, Strategic Planning, Los Angeles Department of
   Water and Power  Presentation

Ø      Lew Milford, President, Clean Energy Group Presentation

Ø      Michael Winka, Director, New Jersey Office of Clean Energy

Ø      Robert Pratt, Chairman, Massachusetts Technology Collaborative  Presentation

Ø      Tom Sloan, State Representative (R), Kansas House of Representatives Presentation

             State and local officials are the first to know when rising natural gas prices, poor local air quality, and warming temperatures are beginning to affect their communities and citizens.  In response to these economic, environmental, and public health threats, many officials have enacted progressive initiatives that encourage the development and increased utilization of renewable energy in their states and communities.  Currently, 14 states have organized public benefit funds that are expected to collect $4.5 billion over the next 20 years for renewable energy investments.  Similarly, 13 states have passed renewable portfolio standards mandating that a specified percentage of the state’s total electricity be produced from renewable energy sources.  The Union of Concerned Scientists forecasts that these portfolio standards will lead to the development of 14,230 megawatts of new renewable energy capacity by 2017.  Tax incentives for investing in solar panels and net metering, interconnection, and consumer-choice provisions are some of the other significant state and local initiatives taking place. 

             As the US Congress continues its debate on energy legislation, the leadership shown by state and local leaders with regard to renewable energy can provide several important lessons.  Namely, these initiatives are showing that communities and citizens support a diverse energy portfolio that reduces pollution, fights climate change, and enables a sustainable energy infrastructure for future generations.  Furthermore, their success is demonstrating that investments and policies that promote renewable energy development create jobs, provide consumer savings, and stimulate rural economies. 

             For more information, please contact JR Drabick at (202) 662-1886 or at jrdrabick@eesi.org.