House Introduces 25×25 Federal RPS

Representatives Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and Todd Platts (R-Pa.) yesterday introduced legislation that would require the nation to produce 25% percent of its electricity from clean sources by 2025. 

In addition, Markey also introduced an energy efficiency standard that aims to cut electricity demand. 

The American Renewable Energy Act creates a federal renewable portfolio standard (RPS) for sources like wind, solar and geothermal.

Twenty-seven states and the District of Columbia already have similar standards and a national standard is expected to create more than 350,000 green jobs over the next decade, according to a release from the Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming.

During the last Congress, the House repeatedly passed RES legislation with bipartisan support, and a recent Washington Post/ABC News poll said that 84% of Americans support requiring utilities to increase their use of renewable energy.

“This legislation takes a significant step – similar to what is already taking place in many states, including my home state of Pennsylvania–to help ensure America reduces its dependency on foreign oil and creates a more stable energy supply for our nation," said Rep. Platts. "Establishing a federal Renewable Electricity Standard will help to protect our environment as well as promote economic development and energy security.”

Markey’s energy efficiency resource standard was introduced in the Save American Energy Act. It sets a goal of reducing electricity demand by 15% percent by 2020. The legislation would reduce peak electricity demand by 90,000 megawatts by 2020, eliminating the need to build 300 medium-size power plants. It also would lead to $130 billion in consumer savings over the next 20 years and create 260,000 new jobs, according to a release.

Both the goals for renewable energy and efficiency match those suggested by the Obama administration.