By Ryan Tracy | The Wall Street Journal
Conservatives fighting against alternative-energy mandates — which they see as unwarranted and costly market interference — are losing ground even in some Republican-controlled states, where legislatures are standing behind policies that force electric utilities to buy renewable energy.
Some of the most vocal support for the policies is coming from an unlikely corner: farmers who see profit in rural renewable-energy projects.
Of the 29 states that require the use of wind, solar and other renewable power sources, at least 14 considered proposals this year to significantly water down or repeal the policies. None have become law yet, with many legislative sessions adjourned until next year.
There is no federal requirement to use renewable energy, so the wind and solar industries rely on states to help them take market share from traditional fuels such as coal, natural gas and nuclear power.
