Investor-owned utilities and rural distribution cooperatives must source 40% of total retail sales from renewable energy resources by 2025 and 50% by 2030. This standard increases to 80% by 2040 for investor-owned utilities, then to 100% of retail sales to be generated by zero-carbon resources by 2045. Similarly, rural distribution cooperatives must generate 100% of retail sales from zero-carbon sources by 2050, with at least 80% of those generated from renewable energy. Rural distribution cooperatives are only required to hit the 2050 targets if it is technically feasible, it does not hinder the cooperatie’s ability to provide electric service to rural communities, and it does not cause electric service to become unreasonably expensive. Utilities and cooperatives may make use of Renewable Energy Credits to achieve RPS compliance. Investor owned utilities are required to provide customers with a green power option, where they can voluntarily purchase renewable energy within certain energy blocks.
