Rhode Island is the latest state to commit to 100% renewable electricity. Earlier this week, Gov. Daniel McKee made it official by signing the bill that binds Rhode Island to get 100% of its electricity from renewable energy sources by 2033 at the latest.
In fact, that commitment means that Rhode Island has the commitment to reach 100% renewable electricity faster than any other state. Adding to newcomer Rhode Island, 10 states have 100% clean or renewable energy commitments for the electricity sector. Work is underway at 10 other states to also set commitments for 100% renewable energy.
Solar power is going to be a big part of any 100% renewable energy commitment, but something that has certainly given Rhode Island a big boost of steady, clean power is the Block Island Wind Farm, the first commercial offshore wind power project in the United States. State. . More offshore wind power could also make a big difference in the coming decade. “Rhode Island’s offshore winds are powerful enough to produce eight times the amount of electricity required by the state’s people and buildings,” Environment California said. (I do not know why California is climbing – but I like it.) Rhode Island is nicknamed the “Ocean State”, so it’s only suitable for the small state to get more power from sea winds.
“Before Rhode Island’s decision to commit to 100% renewables, former RIPIRG lawyer Kate sent Canada [Environment California] a photo of this 2014 campaign brochure, when RIPIRG campaigned for a renewable portfolio standard in the state. ”
Photo credit: Environment California staff
Hard work and the long game can bear fruit.
“In January 2020, the then Goew. Gina Raimondo signed an executive order with a goal of 100% renewable energy in the electricity sector and In the 2021 legislative session, legislation to codify that goal could not pass both legislative chambers. This year it has passed. ”
Oh, here we come to California’s role in it all. “In 2018, Environment California enlisted the support of thousands of citizens, hundreds of organizations and dozens of lawmakers to win the symbolically named Senate Bill 100, a state-wide commitment to 100% zero carbon energy by 2045.
“California’s new law has caused a wave of climate action in other states. In 2019, New Mexico and Washington signed similar bills. By mid-2021, nine states had enacted 100% legislation, including Maine, New York, Virginia, Oregon, and Illinois.
“Now Rhode Island has also joined the 100% club.”
Kudos to Rhode Island for being more ambitious and choosing a much earlier target than 2045. Perhaps California needs to review its commitment now that nine more states have followed their lead and in some cases dramatically improved it.
“In 2018, we set a goal for ourselves to get 10 states to make a legislative commitment to 100% clean or renewable energy by 2023. At the time, it felt like a BHAG – A Big Hairy Audacious Goal, to from business school language, designed to expand the idea of what is possible, ”says Johanna Neumann, Senior Director of Environment America’s Campaign for 100% Renewable Energy.” The fact that we achieved that goal 1 year early indicates that we can be even more ambitious in our goals of re-energizing the world with energy sources that do not pollute and never run out. “
Indeed.
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