Introduction
The nation's first RPS program was implemented by Iowa in 1983. Over the last 35 years, RPS programs have become a favorite policy lever for renewable energy advocates and politicians alike. Through 2015, RPS programs had been adopted in 29 states and the District of Columbia, which collectively account for 62% of electric power generation in the United States. In the early years, RPS targets were modest. Recently, some states have grown bolder and policy targets of 40% to 60% are not unusual while happy-talk of a 100% renewable grid is commonplace.
On April