Through RGGI, participating states put a cap on allowable carbon emissions. This creates a system by which states auction off "carbon allowances" to emitting plants on a quarterly basis. They then invest much of the proceeds into renewable energy and energy efficiency.

With the renewable energy market exploding across the U.S., it can be easy to overlook the challenges that some communities face in getting involved and receiving equitable returns on their contributions to the space. This is perhaps most true among Native American tribes that lease their land for renewable project development.

Sundance, the first of three wind projects comprising the facility in Oklahoma — including a behemoth just shy of 1 GW — is now operational. AEP subsidiaries Southwestern Electric Power Company (SWEPCO) and Public Service Company of Oklahoma now look to the next two projects in the wind facility, and the emissions reduction goals they are intended to build toward.

As the ongoing global energy transition continues to have record-breaking years despite significant obstacles like government obstruction, tariffs, and the pandemic, it can be easy for investors and renewable energy clients to celebrate progress through their IRPs and setting of renewable energy targets.