The essentials
UPDATE: CA’s RPS standards have changed. For an updated version of this brief, please see California’s Renewable Portfolio Standard: How will Arizona and the Southwest be affected? (Part II).
- Many states throughout the West (including Arizona) export power to California, where energy demand is very high.
- California recently set a 33% Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) — one of the most aggressive standards in the country.
- Because of California’s large energy demand, it could have substantial effect on renewable energy development across the Western U.S. electric grid.
- California’s RPS law sets quotas for (1) in-state (or designated equivalent by the CA balancing authority) renewable resources, and (2) out-of-state resources. These limits will affect the amount of renewable energy Arizona and other states can export to California.