Programs

Arkansas renewable energy and energy efficiency

Arkansas has many renewable energy and energy efficiency programs available to residential, commercial, and industrial customers that cover a wide variety of technologies.

A history of renewable energy and energy efficiency in Arkansas

Arkansas produces large amounts of natural gas, which is the primary fuel used for energy production in the state, with coal and nuclear power following closely behind. In 1977, the Arkansas General Assembly passed the Energy Conservation Act, which authorized the Arkansas Public Service Commission (APSC) to promote energy efficiency and renewable energy resources.¹ The vast majority of renewable energy is sourced from either biomass or hydroelectric power. Hydroelectric power supplies almost two-thirds of the state's renewable energy sources with biomass making up close to the remaining third. Arkansas' solar generating capacity is small but growing. In 2018, solar accounted for 0.3% of the state's total energy generation or 3% of its renewable energy production.²

Arkansas' Renewable Energy Portfolio

Arkansas does not currently have a Renewable Energy Portfolio. In 2010 the APSC created a Sustainable Energy Resources (SER) Action Guide, which requires investor-owned utilities to reduce electric sales and natural gas sales compared to the 2010 baseline.³

Footnotes

1. Arkansas Public Service Commission. “Energy Conservation Act.” http://www.apscservices.info/EEInfo/Energy_Conserv_Act.pdf. Accessed October 28, 2020.
2. EIA. “Arkansas State Profile and Energy Estimates.” https://www.eia.gov/state/?sid=AR. Accessed October 28, 2020.
3. Arkansas Public Service Commission. “APSC Sustainable Energy Resources (SER) Action Guide.” http://www.apscservices.info/pdf/08/08-144-U_153_1.pdf. Accessed October 28, 2020.