Markey, Platts Introduce Renewable Energy Standard Bill in House; Bingaman Shares Plan in Senate

Representatives Markey (D-MA) and Platts (R-PA) introduced a bill that would require the United States to produce 25% of its electricity from renewable energy by 2025. The American Renewable Energy Act [PDF] would create a federal renewable portfolio standard (RPS) for wind, solar  and geothermal energy. The legislators estimate that a federal RPS would help create more than 350,000 jobs over the next 10 years. Markey and Platts introduced similar provisions last Congress through the 2007 energy bill that passed the House but didn't make it through the Senate. Markey also introduced energy efficiency legislation, Save American Energy Act [PDF], what would mandate 15% reduction in electricity demand by 2020. Markey estimates that this reduction would eliminate the need for 300 new medium-sized power plants. Read more at Grist

Last week, Sen. Bingaman (D-NM) shared a draft plan of a federal RPS with his Senate colleagues that would require 16% of the nation's electricity from renewable energy by 2019, and 20% by 2021 and thereafter. Bingaman's plan would allow 25% of the target to be met with utility demand reduction programs, something that is not allowed in the American Renewable Energy Act introduced in the House. Many Republican lawmakers oppose a federal RPS, alleging that it would penalize southern states that lack sufficient wind and solar resources to meet the requirements. Environmental groups say this claim is inaccurate, noting that biomass resources in the region could meet the standard.

This Tuesday the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee will hold a hearing about proposed nationwide renewable energy mandates . Read more at E&E (sub. req'd)