Comparison of Pennsylvania Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) Legislation -- Mechanisms

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RPS ProvisionsSB 962HB 2250SB 1030Rendell / McGinty DraftGoal
RPS GoalsRPS Target
9% in 10 yrs
10% in 10 yrs
10% in 15 yrs
10% in 10 yrs
Depends on which technologies are included and whether existing renewables qualify.
Long-term Increase in RPS Percentage Requirements
Y
N
N
N
Long-term increase is best, but at a minimum, the percentages must stay at the goal long-term.
Incentive Structures (New/Clean vs. Existing/Dirty)Promotes Dirtier Technologies Through a Second Tier
N
N
Y
Y
The bill should only be 2-tier if it's politically impossible to have a clean RPS. If there's a dirty tier (tier 2), the top tier must be truly clean and the dirty tier must not promote new facilities or create incentives for existing ones to stay open.
Primarily Promotes Development of NEW Renewables
Y
N
N
N
The use of existing renewables must be capped at no more than 2-3%.
Penalty Fees used for only Clean Energy Development
Y
N
N
N
No smokestack technologies should be allowed. Emissions-free (clean) renewables only. Ideally, penalty fees should go only to solar photovoltaic, which is the technology in most need of support.
Penalty Fees used for only Public Projects
Y
N
N
N
Y
Fuel-Mix DiversitySolar Share
N
N
N
N
Y
Provisions for Net Metering
Y
N
N
N
Y
Credit Multipliers for Solar Power and Fuel Cells
Y
N
N
N
Y
Caps on cheap/dirty technologies which might overwhelm the RPS
Y
N
N
N
Y
Consumer Protection Against Double-CountingProtects Against Double-Counting with state or federal RPS requirements
Y
N
N
N
Y
Protects Green Pricing Programs from Double-Counting
Y
N
N
N
Y
Prevents Double-Counting energy paid by ratepayers in other states
Y
N
N
N
Y
Prevents Double-Counting with carbon markets
N
N
N
N
Y
Prevents Double-Counting of credits from facilities built through compliance fee grants
N
N
N
N
Y
Other Consumer ProtectionsCloses Loophole for Large Industrial Customers
Y
N
N
N
Y
Ensures Credit Trading System is managed by a public entity
Y
N
N
N
Y
Cost-recovery mechanism addressed
Y
N
N
N
Y

RPS Target

Long-term Increase in RPS Percentage Requirements

Promotes Dirtier Technologies Through a Second Tier

Primarily Promotes Development of NEW Renewables

Penalty Fees used for only Clean Energy Development

Penalty Fees used for only Public Projects

Solar Share

Provisions for Net Metering

Credit Multipliers for Solar Power and Fuel Cells

Caps on cheap/dirty technologies which might overwhelm the RPS

Protects Against Double-Counting with state or federal RPS requirements

Protects Green Pricing Programs from Double-Counting

Prevents Double-Counting energy paid by ratepayers in other states

Prevents Double-Counting with carbon markets

Prevents Double-Counting of credits from facilities built through compliance fee grants

Closes Loophole for Large Industrial Customers

Ensures Credit Trading System is managed by a public entity

Cost-recovery mechanism addressed



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