US STATE RENEWABLES PORTFOLIO STANDARDS DRIVE GROWTH IN NICHE MARKET
Subsequent to an initial wave of state-level renewable energy mandates passed as part of electricity market deregulation in the United States, a "second wave" of renewable energy policymaking is now under way.
- The outcome of this second wave, which includes finalization of regulations under existing rules, promulgation of additional programs, and initial operation of markets for tradable Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs), will direct billions of dollars of investment in this decade.
- Initiation of REC markets is the most significant of the trends that are becoming clear across states and regions, and these renewable energy markets provide a fast-growing but niche opportunity for a number of players in the electric power and financial industries.
