Feed-in Tariffs and Renewable Energy in the USA - A Policy Update
The term “feed-in tariff” generally refers to government incentives designed to increase the adoption of renewable energy sources (e.g., electricity generated from solar, wind, biomass, and geothermal sources). Feed-in tariff policies typically include:
- Guaranteed electric grid access for electricity generated from renewable sources.
- Long-term contracts designed to provide a reasonable profit for companies that generate electricity from renewable sources.
- An obligation on electric utilities to buy electricity generated from renewable sources.
While many European countries have had feed-in tariff policies since the 1990s, few U.S. states have introduced feed-in tariff legislation. However, during the past decade, the interest in renewable energy policy has increased at both the state and federal levels. The May 2008 paper, Feed-in Tariffs and Renewable Energy in the USA – a Policy Update, provides analyses of the feed-in tariff legislation of six states, the feed-in tariff proposals in eight states, and proposed federal feed-in tariff policies. The report provides useful information for Sustainability Officers seeking to promote renewable energy legislation in their state.
Energy that comes from sources that are not depleted by use. Examples include energy from the sun, wind, and small (low-impact) hydropower, plus geothermal energy and wave and tidal systems.Plant or animal byproduct material that can be converted to produce energy (electricity, fuel, etc). Typically, the biomass is burned or chemically processed to produce energy. The ability or potential of a physical body to do work. The most common forms of energy are heat, light, mechanical (moving parts), and electrical.
