Forging consensus on national renewables policy: The renewables portfolio standard and the national public benefits trust fund

Journal Article · Mon Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1999 · Electricity Journal

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/S1040-6190(98)00125-0· OSTI ID:352508

Haddad, B M ^[1]; Jefferiss, P ^[2]

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1. Univ. of California, Santa Cruz, CA (United States)
2. Union of Concerned Scientists (United States)

Renewable-energy policymaking is entering a critical phase. National renewable-energy policy is being debated in the current session of Congress, and numerous states have taken up and are taking up the issue of restructuring. It seems timely to review the basic justifications for public policy intervention on behalf of renewable-resource electricity and to evaluate the two leading proposals: the renewables portfolio standard (RPS) and the national public benefits trust fund. A superficial understanding of these proposals has sometimes led even sustainable energy advocates to portray them as mutually incompatible alternatives. A misperception with even more serious consequences has been that public policy support for sustainable energy is not only unnecessary with the advent of consumer choice in electricity markets, but that it will actually impede, rather than enhance, the efficiency of those markets in delivering green power. In this article, the authors argue that intervention is necessary, and that the two leading proposals are complementary, each having unique strengths in enhancing the competitiveness of renewable-energy technologies in different stages of their product cycles, and together covering all the stages of the product cycle.

• OSTI ID: 352508
• Journal Information: Electricity Journal, Journal Name: Electricity Journal Journal Issue: 2 Vol. 12; ISSN ELEJE4; ISSN 1040-6190
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
COMPETITION
ENERGY POLICY
MARKET
RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES