| In this dissertation, I present the findings of a formative evaluation of the changes in the electricity markets of states that implemented renewable portfolio standards (RPS policies) from 2000 to 2010. The formative evaluation is an assessment of the consequences of RPS policies that I conducted for adopting states that were still implementing their RPS policies. Using governmental data as my primary sources, I estimated the changes in carbon intensity within adopting states. I also examined the changes attributable to RPS policies in electricity prices, electricity revenues, electricity production, carbon dioxide emissions, and renewable electricity production within adopting states in order to gain a more detailed understanding of the changes in the electricity markets of adopting states caused by RPS policies. Using OLS regressions and path analysis models, I found these policies have not yet improved the electricity markets of adopting states by significantly reducing carbon intensity from 2000 to 2010, in sharp contrast with the expectations reported in the professional literature. |
