America's energy situation
today is less secure than it has been in recent memory.
Our
domestic production of oil peaked decades ago and our production of natural gas
may be peaking now. As a result, we import more of our energy than ever before,
leaving our energy supplies and national security vulnerable to political
instability abroad.
We have ample supplies of coal. But mining
coal causes severe environmental damage and burning it releases large amounts
of air pollution, which contributes to global warming, acid rain, mercury
contamination and unhealthy air. Nuclear power has been tried and found wanting
for economic, environmental and public safety reasons.
And virtually every year, Americans consume
more and more energy.
The good news is that we have both the
technology and resources to produce more of our energy from clean, renewable
sources. Eastern Wisconsin in particular has
enormous potential for wind power. We should be tapping this wind power and
investing in more solar, geothermal and biomass energy production.
This will help us become more energy
independent, bolster the economy, help us meet air quality standards, and save
consumers money.
A great way to increase our use of clean,
renewable energy is with a federal renewable electricity standard. In the next
few weeks, Congress will be addressing energy legislation.
The Udall-Platts HR 969 Renewable Portfolio
Standard would ensure that we get 20 percent of our electricity from clean,
renewable sources by the year 2020.
Wisconsin is already on the
right track. We have renewable electricity standard requiring 10 percent of our
state's electricity to come from clean, renewable sources by the year 2015. The
policy has been an effective, efficient and popular driver of expanded
renewable energy development in Wisconsin
and the other states with similar or greater standards.
A federal 20 percent by 2020 renewable
electricity standard would bring a number of benefits to Wisconsin
and the Fox Valley, including economic development,
cleaner air and consumer savings on electricity bills.
Wind farm projects like those happening in Fond du Lac County create contracting jobs for
manufacturers and operators. The Union of Concerned Scientists estimates that a
20 percent federal renewable electricity standard will create 4,410 new jobs
and $947 million in new capital investment in Wisconsin.
This bill will reduce our dependency on
coal-fired power plants that release the particulate matter polluting our air.
A 20 percent standard by 2020 is expected to reduce our national carbon dioxide
emissions by 500 million tons, the equivalent of taking 89 million cars off the
road.
This standard is also expected to lower
electricity prices for consumers by an estimated $980 million. Diversifying our
energy portfolio will make us as consumers less susceptible to spikes in
natural gas prices and bring us the benefits of more energy competition.
Congressman Tom Petri has the opportunity to
bring jobs, financial investment, cleaner air and consumer savings to the Sixth
Congressional District during the energy debate in the U.S. House of
Representatives this summer.
The Udall-Platts Renewable Portfolio Standard
is a win-win piece of legislation for Wisconsin
and the Fox Valley. Congressman Petri should
co-sponsor this bill.
Lauren Joy serves as field organizer for
Wisconsin Environment, a statewide non-profit, non-partisan, environmental
advocacy organization.
