100 percent renewable energy targets by state

Since Hawaii became the first state in the country to pass a 100 percent renewable energy target in 2015, several other states, cities, and utilities have followed suit. More than a dozen states and US territories have gotten in on the action with targets to procure their electricity from renewable or non-emitting resources. As new states pass legislation, we will keep this list current.

There are two primary types of targets that states are setting: 100 percent renewable energy targets and 100 percent clean energy targets. Though the two types of targets may sound like the same thing, there is one significant difference between the two of them: whereas renewable energy targets explicitly require that electricity is generated from renewable resources such as solar, wind, and hydropower, clean energy targets allow for compliance from any non-carbon-emitting resources, such as nuclear generators. Both targets result in a 100 percent reduction of carbon emissions from electricity production; however, the means used to reach those targets are rather different.

The debate over the role of nuclear energy in a clean energy transition is divisive. Paying attention to the specific wording of state targets is an important and illustrative way to track where your community landed in this debate.

Below is a list of states with either 100 percent renewable energy or 100 percent clean energy targets that have been passed into law or signed as an explicit goal through executive orders:

Source: CleanEnergy States Alliance. Please note that states with net-zero greenhouse gas emissions were not included, as this still allows for fossil fuel consumption. Updated January 26, 2022.

The best resource for tracking cities and municipalities with a commitment to 100 percent renewable energy is the Sierra Club’s “Ready for 100” list. They currently list over 180 cities and municipalities and more than ten counties committed to 100 percent renewable energy.

Another group actively participating in the clean energy transition is utilities. As of 2021, 12 utilities have explicitly committed to 100 percent clean energy either through their planning process or as a public-facing goal:

• Appalachian Power Company (2050)

• Arizona Public Service Company (2050)

• Avista (2045)

• Dominion Energy (2045)

• DTE Energy (2050)

• Green Mountain Power (2025)

• Idaho Power (2045)

• Lincoln Electric System (2040)

• Nebraska Public Power District (2050)

• Omaha Public Power District (2050)

• Public Service Company of New Mexico (PNM) (2040)

• Xcel Energy (2050)

Whether or not you live in a territory with a commitment to 100 percent renewable or clean energy, you can participate in the transition to clean energy at your home by going solar. Installing solar panels on your property allows you to offset most or even all of your electricity consumption with sustainably produced energy from the sun. To get free online quotes for solar from local, pre-screened solar companies, register for the EnergySage Marketplace today.