100 percent renewable targets

Since Hawaii became the first state in the country to pass a 100 percent renewable energy target in 2015, a number of other states, cities and utilities have followed suit. In fact, more than a dozen states and US territories have gotten in on the action with targets to procure all of their electricity from either renewable or non-emitting resources. As new states pass legislation, we will be sure to keep this list up to date.

100 percent renewable vs. 100 percent clean

There are two primary types of targets that states are setting: 100 percent renewable energy targets and 100 percent clean energy targets. Though the two types of targets may sound like the same thing, there is actually one major difference between the two of them: whereas renewable energy targets explicitly require that electricity is generated from renewable resources such as solar, wind, hydropower, clean energy targets allow for compliance from any non-carbon-emitting resources, such as nuclear generators. Both types of targets result in a 100 percent reduction of carbon emissions from electricity production; however, the means used to reach those targets are rather different.

The debate over the role of nuclear energy in a clean energy transition is a divisive one. Paying attention to the specific wording of state targets is an important and illustrative way to keep track of where your community landed in this debate.

States with 100 percent renewable and clean energy targets

Below is a list of states with either 100 percent renewable energy or 100 percent clean energy targets that have been passed into law or signed as an explicit goal through executive orders:

Other entities with 100 percent renewable targets

The best resource for tracking cities and municipalities with a commitment to 100 percent renewable energy is the Sierra Club’s “Ready for 100” list. They currently list over 120 cities and municipalities with a commitment to 100 percent renewable energy, as well as more than 10 counties.

Another group actively participating in the clean energy transition are utilities. At present, five utilities have explicitly committed to 100 percent clean energy either through their planning process or as a public-facing goal:

• Avista (2045)
• Green Mountain Power (2025)
• Idaho Power (2045)
• Public Service Company of New Mexico (PNM) (2040)
• Xcel Energy (2050)

Participate in the renewable energy transition with solar

Regardless of whether or not you live in a territory with a commitment to 100 percent renewable or clean energy, you can participate in the transition to clean energy at your own home by going solar. Installing solar panels on your property allows you to offset most or even all of your electricity consumption with sustainably produced energy from the sun. To get free, online quotes for solar from local, pre-screened solar companies, register for the EnergySage Marketplace today.