Renewable Electricity Standard Fact Sheet

Senator Bingaman and others plan to offer an amendment to the pending energy bill to require that 15% of electricity sold in the U.S. come from renewable sources by 2020. The amendment would:

Result in a 50% increase in wind generation; a 300% increase in biomass generation and a 500% increase in solar power; (EIA)
Reduce carbon emissions by 222 million tons per year by 2030; (EIA) - Other reports project reductions of as much as 10% per year from the electricity sector;
Reduce the price of natural gas (EIA estimates by .1 % reduction while Wood-McKenzie estimates 16% to 23% lower prices);
Have minimal impact on electricity prices; (EIA estimates a .5% increase in electricity prices while other reports project that the lower price of natural gas would actually lower the price of electricity. W-McK indicates net savings over $100 billion by 2026.)
Works together with state portfolio standards - The Secretary must coordinate with state programs to be sure that appropriate credit is given for compliance with state programs. It does not preempt state programs.
Exempts small utilities that sell less than four million megawatt hours per year;
Results in economic opportunities both for development of an industrial base, and for the enhancement of the agricultural economy;
Results in thousands of new jobs.

Organizations supporting the amendment include the National Farmers Union, National Venture Capital Association, Wisconsin Power and Light, Alliant Energy, BP America, Inc., Google, Owens Corning Composites system Business, United Steelworkers, PPM Energy, Union of Concerned Scientists, U.S. PIRG, Sierra Club, Kansas Rural Center, Missourians for Safe Energy, the Solar Energy Industries Association, the American Wind Energy Association and hundreds of other companies, trade associations, environmental groups, utilities, investor organizations, and energy companies.

We urge you to support the Renewable electricity standard and to oppose any weakening amendments.


Home New Direction on Energy Independence Multimedia DPC Fact Sheets DPC Events Pennsylvania Washington Newsroom Get Involved	Renewable Electricity Standard Fact Sheet Senator Bingaman and others plan to offer an amendment to the pending energy bill to require that 15% of electricity sold in the U.S. come from renewable sources by 2020. The amendment would: Result in a 50% increase in wind generation; a 300% increase in biomass generation and a 500% increase in solar power; (EIA) Reduce carbon emissions by 222 million tons per year by 2030; (EIA) - Other reports project reductions of as much as 10% per year from the electricity sector; Reduce the price of natural gas (EIA estimates by .1 % reduction while Wood-McKenzie estimates 16% to 23% lower prices); Have minimal impact on electricity prices; (EIA estimates a .5% increase in electricity prices while other reports project that the lower price of natural gas would actually lower the price of electricity. W-McK indicates net savings over $100 billion by 2026.) Works together with state portfolio standards - The Secretary must coordinate with state programs to be sure that appropriate credit is given for compliance with state programs. It does not preempt state programs. Exempts small utilities that sell less than four million megawatt hours per year; Results in economic opportunities both for development of an industrial base, and for the enhancement of the agricultural economy; Results in thousands of new jobs. Organizations supporting the amendment include the National Farmers Union, National Venture Capital Association, Wisconsin Power and Light, Alliant Energy, BP America, Inc., Google, Owens Corning Composites system Business, United Steelworkers, PPM Energy, Union of Concerned Scientists, U.S. PIRG, Sierra Club, Kansas Rural Center, Missourians for Safe Energy, the Solar Energy Industries Association, the American Wind Energy Association and hundreds of other companies, trade associations, environmental groups, utilities, investor organizations, and energy companies. We urge you to support the Renewable electricity standard and to oppose any weakening amendments.