February 8, 2007
Scientists Praise New Clean Energy Legislation
Bill Would Save Money, Create Jobs, Promote Rural Development
WASHINGTON—The Union of Concerned Scientists today praised the introduction of a House bill that would gradually require utilities to generate 20 percent of their electricity from clean, renewable sources, such as wind, solar, geothermal, and biomass, by 2020. The renewable portfolio standard (RPS) bill, introduced by Reps. Tom Udall (D-NM), Todd Platts (R-PA), Mark Udall (D-CO), Frank Pallone (D-NJ), Chris Shays (R-CT), Diana DeGette (D-CO), and Jerry McNerney (D-CA) would create hundreds of thousands of new jobs, save consumers money and promote economic development in our rural communities, according to a UCS analysis of the bill.
"A renewable portfolio standard should be passed this Congress," said Alan Nogee, UCS Clean Energy Program Director. "The bill gives the American people what they asked for in the election—a smart, cost-effective strategy to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and get America on a track toward energy independence. And because power plants are a primary source of heat-trapping emissions, this bill can be an important part of solving global warming."
A 2004 UCS analysis of a similar bill calculates the multiple benefits from a national portfolio standard. By 2020, a 20 percent RPS would create 355,000 jobs—nearly twice as many as electricity from fossil fuels would generate. Competition from renewable energy generators would lower electricity and natural gas prices, saving consumers more than $49 billion on their energy bills. Farmers, ranchers and rural landowners would earn more than $16 billion in new income. Carbon dioxide emissions would be reduced 434 million metric tons—a reduction of 15 percent from "business as usual" levels and the equivalent of taking more than 69 million cars off the road.
Around the country, momentum for a national RPS has been building. With Washington State's passage this fall of an RPS ballot initiative, twenty one states and the District of Columbia now have renewable portfolio standards. Since 2004, eight states and the District of Columbia have enacted standards. In August 2005, Texas more than doubled its standard, creating the second-largest new renewable energy market in the country, behind only California. Seven other states (Arizona, California, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico and New Jersey) have also increased or accelerated their standards.
"The states have already shown us that renewable standards can be successful," said Nogee. "The federal government should step in with its own standard so the entire country can enjoy the benefits of renewable energy. The nation's security and the health of our planet are too important to leave to the states."
The US Senate has passed a 10 percent RPS three times since 2002—most recently in June 2005.
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.
