November 4, 2008
Missouri's New Energy Standard Would Boost Economy, Create Jobs, Stabilize Energy Prices, and Cut Pollution, Science Group Says
Statement by Jeff Deyette, Union of Concerned Scientists
CAMBRIDGE (November 4, 2008) – If Missouri voters approve Proposition C today, the "Show Me State" will become the 28th to pass a renewable electricity standard, a policy that already covers more than half of all U.S. electricity sales. Proposition C will require the state's biggest utilities to obtain 15 percent of their power from renewable energy sources by 2021. According to the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS), the new law will benefit state residents by creating new jobs, stabilizing energy prices, and making a downpayment toward fighting global warming.
Below is a statement by Jeff Deyette, a clean energy analyst at the Union of Concerned Scientists:
"By passing Proposition C, Missouri voters have done their part to boost their state's economy, create good paying local jobs, and stabilize their energy bills.
"Missouri's electricity now comes predominantly from nuclear and fossil fuels that are imported from other states, and that is a drag on the local economy. For example, Missouri utilities paid nearly $1 billion on imported coal in 2006 alone—and passed along that cost to their ratepayers. This new law will kickstart the development of nearly 2,000 megawatts of homegrown, renewable power by 2021—enough to power the equivalent of more than 1.3 million typical homes—and help boost Missouri's economy by keeping energy dollars in the state and creating local jobs.
"This new standard also will encourage new renewable energy projects that offer landowners, farmers and ranchers income from leasing their land. Landowners already are earning as much $3,000 per turbine annually from wind farms in the northwest corner of the state. That's just the beginning.
"Ratepayers, meanwhile, should see more stable electricity and gas bills with this new standard. Diversifying the state's energy mix with more renewables will lower demand for coal and natural gas and protect against price spikes.
"This new law also will help ensure that we avoid the worst consequences of global warming by dramatically reducing power plant emissions. When the state reaches its goal in 2021, annual statewide carbon dioxide emission reductions will be the equivalent of taking 900,000 cars off the road."
The Union of Concerned Scientists is the leading U.S. science-based nonprofit organization working for a healthy environment and a safer world. Founded in 1969, UCS is headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and also has offices in Berkeley, Chicago and Washington, D.C.
