On the verge of a historic energy victory America’s energy
situation today is less secure than it has been in recent memory. For
too long, we have relied on dirty sources of energy from fossil fuels
that are spoiling our environment, causing global warming, and leaving
consumers vulnerable to price spikes.
The good news is that we
have both the technology and resources to produce more of our energy
from clean, renewable sources. Tapping these renewable sources will
help us become more energy-independent, bolster the economy, meet air
quality standards, and save consumers money. Wisconsin Environment is
calling on Congress to pass a comprehensive energy bill including a
federal renewable electricity standard that would ensure we get 15
percent of our electricity from clean, renewable sources by the year
2020.
“Wisconsin is already on the right track,” said Dan
Kohler, Wisconsin Environment’s director. “We helped pass legislation
last year that will quadruple our state’s use of homegrown, clean,
renewable sources by the year 2015. Expanding renewable energy through
a federal standard would bring even more jobs, new capital investment,
and consumer savings to our state.”
Growing momentum for clean energyWood
McKenzie, an energy consulting firm, found that a 15 percent federal
standard would save consumers more than $100 billion as a result of
reduced demand for natural gas, create thousands of new high-paying
jobs in Wisconsin and cut global warming pollution by 180 million
metric tons by 2020, the equivalent of taking 29 million cars off the
road.
After four months of campaigning and significant public
outcry, on August 4 the House of Representatives voted 241-172 to pass
The New Direction for Energy Independence, National Security, and
Consumer Protection Act (H.R. 3221), which included an amendment,
backed by Wisconsin Environment, to establish a national renewable
electricity standard (RES).
“I think that this is a great piece
of legislation whose time has really come,” said Tehri Parker,
executive director of Midwest Renewable Energy Association. “There is
enormous support for clean energy at the grassroots level and it is
exciting to see our national leaders taking energy policy in the right
direction.”
“The United Steelworkers Union is committed to the
fight for jobs and a clean environment,” said Douglas Drake, of U.S.
Steelworkers, District 2. “While some of the worst polluters in the
country pose an artificial choice between economic development and a
clean environment, our experience shows that a clean environment can
promote economic development and create jobs.”
Missing from the
legislation was an improvement in fuel economy. The energy bill passed
by the Senate in June includes fuel economy provisions; that bill will
be brought to conference with the House bill. “We look forward to
seeing Congress pass a comprehensive energy bill that addresses energy
efficiency, fuel economy and renewable energy. We urge the Congress to
add the fuel economy provisions passed by the Senate in the final
bill,” said Kohler.
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