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Renewable Portfolio Standards: Do Voluntary Goals vs. Mandatory Standards Make a Difference?

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  • Barry D. Solomon
  • Shan Zhou

Abstract

This research investigates whether an obligation to meet a Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) target in U.S. states affects the policy effectiveness, which is defined as the RPS‐related renewable electricity capacity additions. A voluntary RPS target can serve as a political device for signaling commitment to certain goals, though there is no penalty if the goal is not met. Alternatively, mandatory RPS targets have varying stringency and uneven enforcement. Our results indicate that the compulsoriness of a state RPS is an insignificant determinant of RPS‐related renewable electricity capacity additions. Factors other than whether an RPS target or goal is compulsory are more important in influencing renewable electricity development, including policy stringency. If a state seeks a modest level of renewable electricity development, setting a voluntary goal can sometimes be effective and more efficient. Nonetheless, a mandatory RPS may be required to accomplish a more significant level of renewable electricity deployment. 本研究调查了对达成美国各州可再生能源配额制（RPS）目标所负有的义务是否会影响政策有效性，这种政策有效性被定义为与RPS相关的可再生电力容量增加量（renewable electricity capacity additions）。自愿的RPS目标能充当一种对某些目标预示承诺的政治手段，尽管当无法实现目标时也不存在任何惩罚。另一种方式则是强制性RPS目标，这种目标拥有不同程度的严苛性和不均衡的执行。我们的结果显示，各州RPS的强制性并不能显著决定与RPS相关的可再生电力容量增加量。除去RPS目标是否具有强制性这一因素，其他因素在影响可再生电力发展一事上更为重要，包括政策严苛性（policy stringency）。如果一个州寻求适当程度的可再生电力发展，设定一个自愿目标有时能发挥有效性并更高效。尽管如此，可能要求执行强制性RPS，以期实现更高程度的可再生电力发展。 Esta investigación investiga si la obligación de cumplir con un objetivo del Estándar de cartera renovable (RPS) en los estados de EE. UU. Afecta la efectividad de la política, que se define como las adiciones de capacidad de electricidad renovable relacionadas con RPS. Un objetivo voluntario de RPS puede servir como un dispositivo político para señalar el compromiso con ciertos objetivos, aunque no hay penalización si no se cumple el objetivo. Alternativamente, los objetivos de RPS obligatorios tienen un rigor variable y una aplicación desigual. Nuestros resultados indican que la obligatoriedad de un RPS estatal es un determinante insignificante de las adiciones de capacidad de electricidad renovable relacionadas con el RPS. Otros factores además de si un objetivo o meta de RPS es obligatorio son más importantes para influir en el desarrollo de la electricidad renovable, incluida la rigurosidad de las políticas. Si un estado busca un nivel modesto de desarrollo de electricidad renovable, establecer una meta voluntaria a veces puede ser efectivo y más eficiente. No obstante, es posible que se requiera un RPS obligatorio para lograr un nivel más significativo de despliegue de electricidad renovable.

Suggested Citation

  • Barry D. Solomon & Shan Zhou, 2021. "Renewable Portfolio Standards: Do Voluntary Goals vs. Mandatory Standards Make a Difference?," Review of Policy Research, Policy Studies Organization, vol. 38(2), pages 146-163, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:revpol:v:38:y:2021:i:2:p:146-163
    DOI: 10.1111/ropr.12424
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