According to a report released by the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS), a federal renewable energy standard would help insulate the U.S. from energy price shocks by diversifying energy supply. The “Clean Energy Blueprint” claims that the nation could achieve at least 20% of its electricity from wind, solar, geothermal, and biomass energy sources by 2020, and save consumers money when combined with policies to save energy.

“The UCS report provides the sort of well-reasoned and documented analysis of all energy options, not simply those favored by the existing fossil-fuel industry, that are needed to promote energy security and favorable economics through supply diversity,” said Daniel M. Kammen, professor of Energy and Society and Director of the Renewable and Appropriate Energy Laboratory (REAL) at the University of California, Berkeley. Renewable energy standards have currently been adopted in 12 states: Arizona, Connecticut, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Wisconsin.