#Clean #Energy #Standards: Selected Issues for the 117th Congress.
For many years, policies to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions have been of interest to Congress. Congressional and constituent interest continues in the 117th Congress. One option to reduce GHG emissions from electricity generation is a clean energy standard.
A clean energy standard (#CES), sometimes called a clean electricity standard, is a policy that requires a minimum share of #electricity to be generated from eligible “clean” sources. No universal definition of clean energy exists, and proposals differ in what technologies are included. Some proposals, usually referred to as a #renewable portfolio standard (#RPS), include only certain renewable energy sources (e.g., #solar), while other proposals also include #nuclear #power, #fossil #fuels equipped with carbon capture and storage (#CCS) technology, certain #natural #gas #technologies, or other energy sources. As of 2020, thirty states and the District of Columbia have implemented a CES, including 10 jurisdictions that will ultimately require 100% of covered electricity sales to come from eligible clean energy sources.
Members of Congress have demonstrated a longstanding interest in CES policies, with proposals for a national CES dating at least to 1997. None has been enacted. Most recently, seven bills introduced in the 116th Congress would have established a national CES (sometimes in conjunction with other policies). The measures differed in eligible sources, final targets, and implementation details. For example, one bill would have required 100% of covered electricity sales to come from renewable energy sources by 2035. Another measure would have established CES targets consistent with 80% reductions in electricity GHG emissions. Four of the bills would have established a 100% clean energy requirement for U.S. electricity generation with target dates ranging from 2035 to 2050.
Other proposals put forward in 2020 also might be relevant to CES discussions in the 117th Congress. Two separate House committees supported 100% CES policies. One aimed to achieve 100% clean energy used for electricity generation by 2050 and the other aimed for 100% by 2040. Additionally, President Biden campaigned on a goal of 100% clean energy used for electricity generation by 2035, and an executive order issued in January 2021 reiterates that goal.
For context, renewable sources made up 18% of U.S. electricity generation in 2019, nuclear power made up 20%, natural gas made up 38%, and coal (without CCS) made up 24%. In February 2021, the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) projected the share of total U.S. electricity generation coming from renewable sources in 2050 might vary from 33% to 57%, depending on factors such as future energy prices and economic growth. The share from non-emitting sources (i.e., renewables and nuclear) in 2050 varied from 44% to 67% in the projections, and the share from non-emitting sources together with natural gas varied from 86% to 93%.
The future makeup of the U.S. electricity system might affect congressional perceptions of the necessity or feasibility of a CES. Estimating the future energy system makeup typically is challenging, especially over 15 years or more (i.e., the time periods covered by recent CES proposals). The ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic makes such outlooks especially challenging, because of the impact the pandemic is having on U.S. energy consumption and production.
Another complicating factor is the possibility that the 117th Congress could change U.S. energy policy (not including consideration of a CES). For example, legislation might aim to change the relative price of certain energy sources through tax incentives, carbon pricing, or other means. Legislation could seek to alter future U.S. electricity demand, for example with policies to increase electricity use for transportation or, alternatively, policies to decrease electricity use through improved efficiency. Legislation not directly targeting the U.S. electricity system also could be relevant, for example legislation directed towards affecting overall economic activity or #infrastructure. Finally, non-congressional action such as executive actions or state policies also could affect the U.S. electricity system.
In short, numerous policies the 117th Congress might consider could affect the future makeup of the U.S. electricity system, as could non-congressional actions. The interactions among some or all of these factors might be relevant, should Congress choose to debate a CES.
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Introduction,
Bills Introduced in the 116th Congress,
Other Proposals,
Putting a 100% Target in Context,
Outlook for Clean Energy in the US Electricity System,
