A bipartisan group of 50 U.S. Senators sent a letter today to Energy and Natural Resources Chair Jeff Bingaman and Ranking Member Pete Domenici calling for the inclusion of a strong renewable electricity standard in energy legislation reported out of the Committee.
The signers of the letter believe that there is broad support for a federal RPS. One of the most proven policies to drive renewable energy development, renewable electricity standards (also known as renewable portfolio standards or RPS) have been enacted in more than 20 states. These policies require that utilities generate a certain percentage of their electricity from renewable sources.
Due to the economic and environmental benefits these policies have delivered, 10 states have now strengthened or expanded their standards.
During the 108th Congress, the Senate’s version of H.R. 6 included a renewable energy standard provision. Although 52 Senators voted to add a renewable provision to the Energy Policy Act of 2005, it was not included in the final conference language.
"This climate solution can save consumers’ money, create renewable energy jobs and bolster rural economies," said Alan Nogee, Director of the Union of Concerned Scientist’s Clean Energy Program. "A strong federal RES would reduce carbon emissions equivalent to taking more than 35 million cars off the road."
The Senators’ letter notes that enactment of a strong RPS would provide several very real benefits including fuel diversity and a reduction in U.S. dependence on natural gas. According to studies by the Energy Information Agency, a Renewable Electricity Standard would work to reduce natural gas costs for both homeowners and large energy users like auto plants and steel mills.
The letter goes on to point out the environmental benefits of increasing the market share for renewables including a reduction of nitrogen oxide, sulfur dioxide, mercury and greenhouse gas emissions from the utility sector.
"A national RPS will bring all the parties in the power supply business together to work toward the best solutions," said Terry Hudgens, CEO and President of PPM Energy, one of the nation’s largest wind power generators.
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