Nevada's Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS), NRS 704.7801, was first adopted by the Nevada Legislature in 1997 and has been modified nearly every legislative session since. The RPS sets the percentage of electricity sold each year by providers of electric service to Nevada customers that must come from renewable energy (biomass, geothermal energy, solar energy, waterpower, and wind) or energy efficiency measures.
The 2019 Nevada Legislature (Senate Bill 358) modified the RPS by increasing the percentage of electricity (see “50% by 2030†below) sold each year to Nevadans that must come from renewable energy or energy efficiency measures. The 2019 Nevada Legislature also declared it is the policy of the state of Nevada to:
- Encourage and accelerate the development of new renewable energy projects for the economic, health and environmental benefits provided to Nevadans.
- Become a leading producer and consumer of clean and renewable energy, with a goal of achieving by 2050 an amount of energy production from zero carbon dioxide emission resources equal to the total amount of electricity sold by providers of electric service in Nevada.
- Ensure that the benefits of the increased use of portfolio energy systems and energy efficiency measures are received by the Nevada residents. Such benefits include, without limitation, improved air quality, reduced water use, a more diverse portfolio of resources for generating electricity, reduced fossil fuel consumption and more stable rates for retail customers of electric service.
50% by 2030
The percentage of renewable energy required by the RPS will increase at a scheduled rate until it reaches 50% in 2030.
- 22% in 2020
- 24% in 2021
- 29% in 2022 and 2023
- 34% in 2024 through 2026
- 42% in 2027 through 2029
- 50% in 2030 and each year thereafter
The 2019 Nevada Legislature determined that energy efficiency measures can be used to comply with up to 10% of the annual RPS requirement. Of that 10%, 50% must come from energy efficiency measures installed at residential customer service locations. For calendar year 2025 and each calendar year thereafter, no portion of that amount may be based on energy efficiency measures.
Compliance
Each year, providers of electric service must submit a report to the PUCN providing evidence of their compliance with the RPS. If the PUCN determines a provider failed to meet the RPS, the PUCN may impose a fine, provide an exemption or take other administrative action.
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