Stronger National RES Needed in 2009 Energy Bill
One of the key policies that would help spearhead wind energy development in the United States is a National Renewable Electricity Standard (RES). A national RES would call on all electricity suppliers alike to provide a minimum percentage of their electricity sales from renewable sources by a certain date. To date, 28 states and the District of Columbia have enacted an RES, but it has not been established on a national level. Minnesota has one of the most progressive state RES standards across the board, requiring 25% of its electricity to come from renewable sources by 2025. Xcel Energy, the largest electricity supplier in Minnesota, has instated a voluntary RES standard of 30% by 2020. With 7.48 percent of its electricity coming from clean energy sources as of 2009, Minnesota leads the United States in utilizing renewable energy as a percentage of its overall electricity generation.
Although the wind industry corralled initial coalitions of supporters to push a National RES through Congress earlier this year, they are now re-focusing their efforts on strengthening the RES included in drafts of the House and Senate climate change legislation. The American Wind Energy Association is seeking an RES of 25% by 2025, however, the legislation moving its way through Congress proposes a lesser standard.
Although the House bill, H.R. 2454, approved by the Energy and Commerce Committee, includes a 20% renewable electricity standard, it would allow state governors to have 8% of the standard met through energy efficiency measures. Subsequently, the Senate bill, which is still being drafted by the Energy and Natural Resources (ENR) Committee, includes an even lesser standard. The Senate is looking at recommending a 15% RES by 2021, with 4% supplied by energy efficiency.
Work on the climate change legislation is expected to continue throughout the summer and into the fall, giving wind energy advocates the time to stress the economic benefits of a stronger RES. A 25% by 2025 RES would add nearly 300,000 jobs to the economy according to a new study released by the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS). Besides the economic benefits, an RES is also a strong step in tackling emissions that cause global climate change, including reducing our dependence on fossil fuels. A stronger RES could produce enough electricity to meet more than 40% of the emissions reductions needed from the electric sector to achieve the targets set in the House legislation. This legislation proposes a percentage-based, mandated, schedule of reductions in greenhouse gas emissions through 2050.
However, polls show that the wind industry has overwhelming nationwide public and bipartisan support for a stronger national RES. A national poll conducted by Garin Hart Yang Research Group from April 29-May 1, 2009 found that 62% of Republicans, 86% of Democrats, and 71% of Independents support a 25% by 2025 RES. 75% of voters favored it as well.
Overall, this national standard would signal a long-term commitment to expand renewable energy development across the United States. This stable policy would allow the wind industry to attract investment capital and achieve economies of scale in the domestic manufacturing sector, lowering consumer electricity prices while slowing global warming.