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- In July 2021, Oregon became the eighth state in the nation to target 100 percent carbon-free electricity.136 The state strengthened its previous reduction goals from requiring a 10-percent reduction in the average carbon intensity of fuels to a 25-percent reduction below 2015 levels by 2035. In September 2021, Illinois became the ninth state in the nation—and the first state in the Midwest—to require 100 percent clean electricity. The policy extended the requirements for renewable electricity to 40 percent by 2030 and 50 percent by 2040.137 In June 2022, Rhode Island passed legislation that set an ambitious goal of achieving 100 percent renewable electricity generation by 2035. In addition, the state’s Renewable Energy Standard currently requires utility companies to purchase renewable energy certificates for 19 percent of electricity sales, increasing 1.5 percent annually the amount of clean electricity through 2035.138 As of late June 2022, one in three Americans lived in a place that has some form of a 100 percent clean energy commitment.139
136 Oregon Legislative Session Report, Department of Energy August 17, 2021. Retrieved from: https://www.oregon.gov/puc/Documents/HB2021-Summary.pdf
137 Illinois General Assembly. Climate and Equitable Jobs Act. September 15, 2021. Retrieved from: https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?DocTypeID=HB&DocNum=804&GAID=16&SessionID=110&LegID=129364
138 State of Rhode Island In General Assembly. House approves Ruggiero bill requiring 100% of RI’s electricity to be offset by renewable energy by 2033. June 14, 2022. Retrieved from:
https://www.rilegislature.gov/pressrelease/_layouts/RIL.PressRelease.ListStructure/Forms/DisplayForm.aspx
139 Shahan, Zachary. “1 In 3 Americans Live In State With 100% Clean Electricity Commitment.” CleanTechnica, August 25, 2022. Available at: https://cleantechnica.com/2022/08/27/1-in-3-americans-live-in-state-with-100-clean-electricity-commitment/
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