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Glossary of Terms

Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS)
An RPS is a law that offers incentives and/or requires utility providers to draw a certain percentage of their overall energy and/or new generation capacity from renewable sources by a certain target year. An RPS defines what renewable resources are and sets clear standards for their development – for example, some state RPS’s distinguish between developing community wind and utility wind, and mandate that a certain percentage of wind development benefit local communities.

Increasing renewable energy is one way to help cut down on the greenhouse gas emissions that lead to climate change – and it also helps create jobs and reduce pollution.

Currently, most RPS exist at the state level (for a map, click here). At least twenty-two states have RPS, and several are revising theirs to mandate even higher uses of renewables. More than half the America population lives in a state with an RPS, and these policies are seen as being powerful economic development tools. Since RPSs increase fuel diversity, they are also seen as effective in reducing price volatility in the electric market

As of this moment, there is no federal RPS, although at least one has been proposed.

For more information, see Barry Rabe, “Race to the Top”.
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Approximately two-thirds of the world’s population (along with critical infrastructure such as transportation routes, energy processing facilities, and major urban centers) are located near coastlines. All face significant threats from sea level rise.
CNA, “National Security and the Threat of Climate Change,” http://securityandclimate.cna.org/
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