U.S. Senate Passes a Renewable Electricity Standard for the Third Session Running
New Energy Information Administration Study Touts Benefits of National Standard
Statement by Alan Nogee, director, Clean Energy Program, Union of Concerned Scientists
"Today, in a major victory for citizens who want cheaper, cleaner electricity, the U.S. Senate passed an amendment offered by Senators Bingaman (D-NM) and Coleman (R-MN) to include a renewable electricity standard in the broader Senate energy bill. The provision, also known as a renewable portfolio standard, would require major electric companies to obtain 10 percent of their electricity from clean renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, and bioenergy by 2020.
"For the third congressional session in a row, a bipartisan Senate majority approved the national standard, which would enhance our security, save consumers money, and create jobs while reducing global warming pollution. In passing the standard, the Senate handed a major defeat to fossil fuel special interests that refuse to make the patriotic choice to move beyond dirty 19th century energy technologies.
"The vote comes on the heels of a new Energy Information Administration (EIA) analysis showing a 10 percent standard would diversify our energy supply, reduce natural gas demand and price, and provide consumers with cumulative electricity and natural gas bill savings of $22.6 billion by 2025. These savings would provide relief to consumers who are reeling from natural gas prices that have more than doubled in the last five years.
"The EIA study also found the renewable standard would reduce power plant carbon dioxide emissions - the primary global warming pollutant - by 249 million metric tons by 2025. A recent Union of Concerned Scientists analysis found that in addition to consumer savings and environmental benefits, a 10 percent standard would create 91,000 high-quality jobs and provide $41.5 billion in new capital investment by 2020.
"Unfortunately, the House-passed energy bill lacks any renewable electricity requirement. Last session, the House's stubborn refusal to include the standard in the conference report contributed to the Senate's ultimate rejection of the bill. This year, Congress should move us toward a smarter, cleaner energy future by including the 10 percent renewable electricity standard in any energy legislation emerging from Congress.
"We applaud Senators Bingaman (D-NM) and Coleman (R-MN) for their leadership to create bipartisan support for this renewable electricity standard."
