State Profiles

Arkansas

Arkansas generates nearly half its electricity from coal-fired power plants, and most of the remainder from nuclear power and natural gas. Only 1 percent comes from renewable energy -- but if the state lives up to its nickname as the Land of Opportunity, homegrown energy could power every single home in the state, with wattage to spare.

More about renewable energy in Arkansas »

Florida

Florida's climate and terrain create unique opportunities for clean, locally generated energy. The most promising renewable energy source is spelled out in the state's nickname: the Sunshine State. Solar energy systems have tremendous potential for success here, even at the household level. Recognizing this opportunity, Governor Charlie Crist took an important step in 2008 by signing legislation authorizing the Florida Public Service Commission to develop a renewable portfolio standard by early 2009. Florida's climate also bodes well for several fast-growing crops. Biofuel research in Florida focuses on feedstocks such as sugarcane and sweet sorghum, and with more than 40,000 farms Florida could eventually be a strong performer in this area.

More about renewable energy in Florida »

Indiana

Indiana gets 95 percent of its electricity from coal, and nearly half that coal is imported from out of state. Indiana's coal-fired power plant emissions rank among the five dirtiest in the nation. But Indiana can turn this bleak picture around by playing to its strengths -- harvesting energy resources from its nearly 15 million acres of farmland, 3.5 million hogs and pigs and 1 million cattle and dairy cows.

More about renewable energy in Indiana »

Michigan

Michigan can tap into significant renewable energy resources, particularly offshore wind energy, using today's technologies. Coal-fired power plants currently produce 58 percent of the state's electricity, making Michigan the 12th-largest global warming polluter in the country. Developing local renewable energy sources can help drive Michigan's economic transformation while providing clean, reliable, inexpensive power for consumers and businesses. The wind energy industry alone could create 30,000 jobs here by 2030.

More about renewable energy in Michigan »

Missouri

With large tracts of windy land and fertile soil, as well a near-perfect mix of productive rural areas and bustling urban centers, Missouri is in a prime position to become a national leader in homegrown renewable energy development. By developing wind power, making energy from agricultural waste and growing dedicated fuel crops, Missouri can keep its energy dollars at home and even start exporting energy to other states. Studies show that a homegrown renewable energy industry in Missouri would create tens of thousands of jobs and provide substantial new sources of income for farmers.

More about renewable energy in Missouri »

Nebraska

Renewable resources have the potential to transform Nebraska's energy supply. Currently about two-thirds of Nebraska's power is generated by coal, with most of the remainder coming from nuclear energy. But with open skies and more than 47,000 farms, Nebraska ranks near the top of the nation in its ability to generate energy from wind, cellulosic biomass, solar power, and biogas.

More about renewable energy in Nebraska »

Nevada

Straining to meet the demands of its booming population, Nevada spends as much as $6 billion importing energy each year. That figure is enough to make anyone think twice, and Nevada lawmakers have acted quickly to find a smarter way to power the state -- with locally produced renewable energy. Flooded with more than 250 days of sunshine a year, Nevada is tops in the nation for potential solar energy production, and has abundant wind and geothermal resources to boot. The state legislature enacted its first renewable portfolio standard in 1997, and raised the bar again in 2001 and 2005. The current standard requires utilities to generate 20 percent of their power from renewable sources by 2015.

More about renewable energy in Nevada »

Ohio

Renewable resources could transform Ohio's energy supply and help to grow the state's economy. Currently 86 percent of Ohio's electricity is generated from coal, and more than 60 percent of its power-plant fuel is imported -- sending $1.5 billion out of state. With open skies and more than 76,000 farms, Ohio could generate a much greater share of its energy use using wind, biomass, solar power, and anaerobic digestion. Renewable energy systems can also revive the local manufacturing economy: Ohio has 2,100 companies in industries related to the manufacture of components for renewable energy systems.

More about renewable energy in Ohio »

Pennsylvania

With 58,000 farms and 2.7 million livestock (cattle calves, hog and pigs), Pennsylvania's rural regions have enormous potential in biofuel and biodigester development. Though Pennsylvania has one of the nation's largest coal-mining industries and second-largest nuclear industry, parts of the state are in the national vanguard of clean, green energy use. Pennsylvania's Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard has the most ambitious solar provision in the eastern United States, requiring that solar energy generate 0.5 percent of the commonwealth's electricity by 2020. In 2007, Governor Ed Rendell announced $10 million in grants for the fourth round of funding of the Pennsylvania Energy Development Authority; the authority had already invested $21 million in 57 clean-energy projects, which drew a total of $240 million in private investment and will ultimately create 975 permanent jobs.

More about renewable energy in Pennsylvania »

Tennessee

With more than 80,000 farms covering 11.4 million acres, Tennessee has untapped potential in generating clean energy, especially biofuels. The urgency of switching to clean energy was underscored by the December 2008 spill at a coal-fired power plant near Harriman, Tenn., which sent a billion gallons of contaminated coal sludge spilling across the community and countryside.

More about renewable energy in Tennessee »

NRDC chose the states spotlighted here because they have shown significant promise in developing renewable energy infrastructure. We will add additional states to this section over time