Alternative and renewable energy portfolio standard

The Public Service Commission of West Virginia requires electric utilities to meet alternative and renewable energy portfolio standards and allows them to do so by purchasing additional credits. The standards require electric utilities to own credits equivalent to at least 10% of the electricity they sell in the preceding calendar year from 2015-2019, 15% from 2020-2024, and 25% from 2025 and beyond. Credits may be generated not only from renewable technologies, such as solar photovoltaic, solar thermal, wind, hydropower, geothermal, biomass, or biofuels, but also from “alternative” sources including coal and natural gas technologies. Electric utilities may also be granted incentive rate-making allowances for new investments in these kinds of energy.  The Commission will impose a compliance assessment if the electric utility fails to comply.