Study reveals only three states meet renewable energy targets, highlighting challenges in RPS compliance across the U.S.

A study by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory has found that only three of the 29 states plus DC that have a renewable portfolio standard (RPS) are meeting their current targets. Vermont’s current RPS target of nearly 60% is the highest of any state, and New York and Illinois have large shortfalls expected to close due to contracted projects. Delaware’s shortfall is due to its low cost for alternative compliance payments compared to other states. Puerto Rico also has a large shortfall in meeting its renewable target of 12% compared to its current target of 20% by 2022. The study found that RPS policies have been a significant driver of renewable deployment in three regions: Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, West, West and Southeast.