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External Impacts of Local Energy Policy: The Case of Renewable Portfolio Standards

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  • Alex Hollingsworth
  • Ivan Rudik

Abstract

Renewable portfolio standards (RPSs) are state-level policies that require in-state electricity providers to procure a minimum percentage of electricity sales from renewable sources. Using theoretical and empirical models, we show how RPSs induce out-of-state emissions reductions through interstate trade of credits used for RPS compliance. When one state passes an RPS, it increases demand for credits sold by firms in other (potentially non-RPS) states. We find that increasing a state's RPS decreases coal generation and increases wind generation in outside states through this tradable credit channel. We perform a welfare simulation to evaluate the aggregate avoided damage from RPS-induced reductions in local coal-fired pollutants. Our estimates suggest that a 1 percentage point increase in a state's RPS results in up to $100 million in avoided damages over the United States from reduced pollution. We also find substantial heterogeneity in aggregate avoided damages caused by increases in different states' RPSs.

Suggested Citation

  • Alex Hollingsworth & Ivan Rudik, 2019. "External Impacts of Local Energy Policy: The Case of Renewable Portfolio Standards," Journal of the Association of Environmental and Resource Economists, University of Chicago Press, vol. 6(1), pages 187-213.
    • Handle: RePEc:ucp:jaerec:doi:10.1086/700419
    DOI: 10.1086/700419
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    Cited by:

    1. Rudik, Ivan, 2018. "Tradable credit markets for intensity standards," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 72(C), pages 202-215.
    2. Hollingsworth, Alex J. & Konisky, David M. & Zirogiannis, Nikolaos, 2021. "The health consequences of excess emissions: Evidence from Texas," Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, Elsevier, vol. 108(C).
    3. Cardella, Eric & Ewing, Brad & Williams, Ryan Blake, 2018. "Green is Good – The Impact of Information Nudges on the Adoption of Voluntary Green Power Plans," 2018 Annual Meeting, February 2-6, 2018, Jacksonville, Florida 266583, Southern Agricultural Economics Association.
    4. Lee, Jonathan M. & Howard, Gregory, 2021. "The impact of technical efficiency, innovation, and climate policy on the economic viability of renewable electricity generation," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 100(C).
    5. Dagher, Leila & Mansour, Mohamad, 2020. "What can GCC countries learn from well-established green power markets in other countries?," MPRA Paper 116073, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    6. Rachel Feldman & Arik Levinson, 2023. "Renewable Portfolio Standards," The Energy Journal, , vol. 44(5), pages 1-20, September.
    7. Jamal Mamkhezri & Leonard A. Malczynski & Janie M. Chermak, 2021. "Assessing the Economic and Environmental Impacts of Alternative Renewable Portfolio Standards: Winners and Losers," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(11), pages 1-23, June.
    8. Rivera, Nathaly M. & Ruiz-Tagle, J. Cristobal & Spiller, Elisheba, 2024. "The health benefits of solar power generation: Evidence from Chile," Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, Elsevier, vol. 126(C).
    9. Jed J. Cohen & Levan Elbakidze & Randall Jackson, 2022. "Interstate protectionism: the case of solar renewable energy credits," American Journal of Agricultural Economics, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 104(2), pages 717-738, March.
    10. Deschenes, Olivier & Malloy, Christopher & McDonald, Gavin, 2023. "Causal effects of Renewable Portfolio Standards on renewable investments and generation: The role of heterogeneity and dynamics," Resource and Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 75(C).
    11. Li, Wanying & Dong, Fugui & Ji, Zhengsen & Xia, Meijuan, 2023. "Analysis of the compound differential evolution game of new energy manufacturers’ two-stage market behavior under the weight of consumption responsibility," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 264(C).
    12. Zirogiannis, Nikolaos & Simon, Daniel H. & Hollingsworth, Alex J., 2020. "Estimating co-pollutant benefits from climate change policies in the electricity sector: A regression approach," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 90(C).

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