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Establish Goals
Tools by Step
Establishing clean energy goals helps states focus their priorities, strategy, and timeline for implementing, evaluating, and communicating progress. Goals are often expressed in a numeric or percentage basis and described relative to “business as usual” conditions. Decisions about the stringency of goals are typically based on an assessment of clean energy potential and grounded by economic, environmental, and energy priorities. Setting goals enables policy makers to translate broad objectives into specific programs and policies. Two steps are involved:
Step 1: Develop a Baseline and Forecast
A baseline is a starting point or snapshot from which states evaluate progress towards meeting their goals. It is typically based on current energy use and emissions data. A forecast of “business as usual” conditions projects energy use and emissions growth into the future, and is used to estimate what would happen in the absence of new clean energy actions.
The State Inventory Tool and Emissions Forecasting Tool are examples of resources that can help states understand their emissions sources and quantities, which are critical pieces of information for establishing goals.
Step 2: Assess the Clean Energy Potential
A clean energy potential-analysis provides an estimate of cost-effective energy efficiency or renewable energy opportunities in a state. Understanding the potential for clean energy helps to target efforts and resources to where they will provide the greatest benefit.
Useful tools for assessing this opportunity include guidance documents on conducting energy efficiency and renewable energy potential studies. They can be used in conjunction with eGRID data on power plant emissions to determine the air quality and greenhouse gas implications of clean energy investments.
Finding What You Need
States are using a variety of tools and resources to establish their clean energy goals. The following links are directed to several examples:
- Greenhouse gas inventories and forecast – Greenhouse gas inventories quantify current and historic emissions levels from which states can set reduction goals.
- Linking economic activities and greenhouse gas emissions – State-level emissions vary by the type of economic activities taking place within state borders. Clean energy policies can lower emissions without adversely affecting the economy.
- Energy efficiency potential and feasibility – Analyzing energy efficiency potential can help states identify cost-effective opportunities to implement energy efficient strategies to reduce emissions.
- Renewable energy potential and feasibility – Analyzing renewable efficiency potential can help states identify cost-effective opportunities to implement energy efficient strategies to reduce emissions.
- Power plant emissions – Quantifying and comparing the environmental attributes of generation sources can help states develop tangible reduction goals, while identifying low-cost, efficient emissions reduction options.
A summary list of all tools and resources useful for establishing clean energy goals is also provided.