The transition to renewable energy is a hot topic in the United States, with utilities across the country pledging to achieve 100% renewable electricity by 2060. While state mandates have certainly played a role in this transition, it is the utilities themselves that are truly leading the charge. A recent paper published in Climatic Change, authored by Matthew Burgess and Grace Kroeger, sheds light on the remarkable progress made by the private sector.
Technology, Cost, and Shifting Energy Sources
A key driver behind the private sector’s rapid transition to renewable energy is the advancement of technology and the declining costs associated with renewable sources. Natural gas has also played a significant role in the shift, replacing coal as a more environmentally friendly option. With renewables steadily replacing fossil fuels, policy alone cannot be credited for the sector’s progress.
Kroeger’s assessment, conducted as part of her honors thesis in Environmental Studies at CU Boulder, aimed to analyze the actions taken by those “on the ground.” The research compared state renewable energy targets with utilities’ own goals, using 30 years of data to assess the changes made in pursuit of renewable energy standards. This approach allowed the authors to determine the extent to which state-level goals influenced utilities’ actions. Notably, the study revealed that utilities often set their own goals, independent of state mandates.
The findings of the study may come as a surprise to many. The research indicates that the private sector is outperforming policy expectations, with utilities on track to meet or exceed the goals set by states with renewable energy mandates. In fact, based on the projections derived from the data, the authors predict that the entire electric grid will be 100% decarbonized by 2060, assuming utilities stay committed to their goals. If the inclusion of nuclear energy in renewable energy portfolios is considered, the decarbonization could be achieved even sooner, by 2050.
What makes these findings even more intriguing is that utility companies are planning to decarbonize across the board, even in states that do not have renewable energy policies or goals. Southern Company, for instance, has set decarbonization goals despite operating in states without portfolio standards such as Georgia, Mississippi, and Alabama.
Differences Among States
Although the research reveals that both blue and red states are making progress, there are differences in the level of commitment to renewable energy. Blue states tend to pass more stringent renewable energy goals and policies compared to red states. Nevertheless, the study demonstrates that even without mandates or standards, most states are on track to decarbonize according to utilities’ goals.
While the study paints a positive picture of the private sector’s commitment to renewable energy, it also exposes the gap between current progress and the ambitious target set by the Biden Administration. In April, the administration announced its goal to eliminate fossil fuels from the U.S. energy sector by 2035. However, this announcement did not come with additional policies or mandates to support the transition.
There is no denying that the private sector is driving significant change in the energy landscape. Technology advancements, declining costs, and shifting energy sources have all played a crucial role in facilitating this transition. As Burgess points out, “there’s a lot of really interesting stuff happening in the private sector.” However, it is evident that further efforts are needed both from utilities and policymakers to accelerate the decarbonization process and align with the national goal of a cleaner energy sector.
The transition to renewable energy in the United States is well underway, primarily led by the private sector. Utilities are exceeding state-level goals and driving the electric grid towards decarbonization. Despite differences among states, both blue and red, the commitment to renewable energy is evident. However, faster progress is required to achieve the ambitious targets set by the administration. With technology advancements and the will of utilities, the path to a cleaner and more sustainable energy sector becomes increasingly promising.
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