States in U.S. Reach Renewable Energy Milestone

[jpak]

http://www.renewableenergyaccess.com/rea/news/story?id=48090

Recent increases in the amount of renewable electricity required under existing standards in Colorado, Minnesota and New Mexico put the states over the 100-million metric tons (MMT) milestone.

The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) projects that 21 states and the District of Columbia that have adopted renewable electricity standards are on track to reduce their global warming emissions by 108 MMT of carbon dioxide by 2020.

By 2020, the UCS projects the state standards will produce more than 46,000 megawatts (MW) of clean, renewable power, enough to meet the needs of 28.5 million typical homes. State renewable electricity standards are expanding, with at least 10 more states considering adopting a requirement or raising existing targets.

One recent example: On Monday, Maryland passed legislation expanding its Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) with a "solar carve out" that will require approximately 1,400 megawatts (MW) of the state's electricity supply to come from solar by 2022.

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