shutterstock_112

Renewable Standards Yield Big Savings

Jan. 12, 2016

Green energy requirements cut GHG emissions, reduce water use.

Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) policies that require electricity providers to meet a certain portion of their energy production with renewable energy have been effective at reducing GHG emissions and air pollution, according to a new study. The research from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory shows that reduced levels of GHG emissions saved $2.2 billion and air pollution cuts saved around $5.2 billion in 2013. The RPS policies that exist in 29 states and Washington, D.C. were also shown to cut water consumption by 27 billion gallons and withdrawals by 830 billion gallons.

The study was designed to help states that are considering whether or not to extend or eliminate the policies see whether or not they are successful at improving public health and mitigating the effects of climate change. Additionally, the research found that RPS policies were also effective at boosting the economy – supporting 200,000 green jobs in 2013 as well as saving consumers around $1.2 billion from lower energy prices and between $1.3 and $3.7 billion on lower natural gas prices.

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of Buildings, create an account today!

Sponsored Recommendations

Building Better Schools

Download this digital resource to better understand the challenges and opportunities in designing and operating educational facilities for safety, sustainability, and performance...

Tips to Keep Facility Management on Track

How do you plan to fill the knowledge gap as seasoned facility managers retire or leave for new opportunities? Learn about the latest strategies including FM tech innovations ...

The Beauty & Benefits of Biophilic Design in the Built Environment

Biophilic design is a hot trend in design, but what is it and how can building professionals incorporate these strategies for the benefits of occupants? This eHandbook offers ...

The Benefits of Migrating from Analog to DMR Two-Way Radios

Are you still using analog two-way radios? Download this white paper and discover the simple and cost-effective migration path to digital DMR radios that deliver improved audio...