ABSTRACT
Renewable energy has emerged from the shadows of a novelty electric energy technology. In an era of fossil fuel volatility, renewable power which is immune to fossil fuel availability, pricing and delivery, makes power systems more resilient. Along with cogeneration, renewable energy can increase electric power efficiency, and renewable power can foster environmental benefits. Twenty-four of the 50 states promote these technologies with system benefit charges that underwrite renewable energy trust funds, and/or with renewable portfolio standards. These programs either subsidize or require a certain fraction of renewable electric power in the states' generation mix. Each of these states defines eligible renewable power differently, although all make wind power and solar power eligible. With implementation of these programs, the states have taken the lead on promotion of renewable energy.
