Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
c
A surcharge on each consumer's electricity bill that goes into a general fund to support
renewable energy resources, energy efficiency initiatives, and renewable energy
projects for low-income residents. For example, Connecticut residents are charged up
to 0.1 cents per kilowatt-hour on their utility bills, which provides funding for
Connecticut's Energy Efficiency Fund for energy efficiency and Clean Energy Fund
for renewable energy.
d
Require that a fixed percentage of the state's electricity be generated from renewable
sources. For example, Texas enacted legislation in 2005 requiring the installation of
5,000 megawatts of new renewable capacity by 2015. According to the National
Conference of State Legislatures, renewable portfolio standards have been particularly
successful in encouraging wind power development.
e
Eligibility and pricing rules for connecting renewable energy sources to the power
transmission grid and crediting producers for excess generation. For example, the
value of energy generated in excess of what is used is subtracted from the monthly
utility bill of residents in Arizona with solar-electric systems.
A
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SE OF
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NERGY
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ECHNOLOGIES
Minnesota, Texas, and California have implemented programs to stimulate
the use of renewable energy technologies. In response to various incentives and
mandates, Minnesota now has one-third of the nation's ethanol fueling stations
and had displaced nearly 10 percent of its gasoline consumption with ethanol by
June 2006. Since Texas enacted renewable portfolio standards (RPS) in 1999, its
electric power companies have installed over 1,900 megawatts of new renewable
energy capacity—approximately 3 percent of the state's total electricity
generation. Since California began its Solar Initiative in January 2006, over 150
megawatts of new solar capacity have been installed.
Minnesota's Ethanol Program
Minnesota's Ethanol Program began in 1980 as an effort to expand the state's
farm economy by building a new market for corn, its largest crop; meet EPA
standards for air quality in the Twin Cities area by reducing carbon monoxide
emissions from cars; and reduce dependence on imported oil. To reach these
goals, Minnesota established financial incentives and mandates to encourage the
development of a state ethanol industry over a 17-year period. As of June 2006,
ethanol had displaced nearly 10 percent of Minnesota's gasoline consumption.
