Reaping the rewards

Renewable energy in the United States is on the rise. America now generates twice as much electricity from the wind and the sun as we did just four yeas ago, and 2007 promises to be another year of record growth. The renewable energy boom is the result of a series of federal and state policies designed to promote cleaner sources of electricity, as well as technological improvements that have reduced the cost of renewable energy over the last three decades, rising fossil fuel prices, and increased concern about global warming. Renewable electricity standards (RES), which require increasing percentages of the electricity supplied to consumers to come from renewable resources, have been among the most important factors in encouraging the development of renewable energy. Twenty-five states and the District of Columbia have adopted an RES. And while many of those policies are in their infancy, RES states have already begun to reap the benefits in increased renewable energy development, reduced pollution, cost savings and economic growth.