Data Source: Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory; Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy; National Conference of State Legislatures; Virginia’s Legislative Information System 2020 Session.
Analysis by CEC Economics
Highlights
- Renewable or clean energy mandates are in effect in twenty-eight states, Washington, D.C., and two territories, while another three states (Indiana, South Carolina, and Utah) and one territory have established voluntary renewable energy objectives. Three states (Hawaii, Rhode Island, and Vermont) plus Washington, D.C. have 100% RPS goals, with an additional 16 states (including California) with RPS targets of at least 50% of retail electricity sales. 16 states have also established broader Clean Electricity Standard (CES) policies.
- States continue to revise their RPS and/or CES goals by adopting higher targets. In May 2024, Maryland’s Brighter Tomorrow Act was signed into law, which establishes the Small Solar Energy Generating System Incentive Program and creates a 150% multiplier under the solar carve-out for specific categories of <5 MW solar facilities. Vermont's H 289 became law in July 2023 and raised the RPS to 100% by 2030 for most utilities, increased the distributed generation (DG) carve-out, and created a new requirement for Vermont utilities to provide their customers with additional, new renewable energy of any size from anywhere in the region. In July 2025, Maine’s SP 738 became law, extending Class IA targets through 2040 and creating a new Class III that includes nuclear and other zero GHG resources.
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