USA - Wind industry praises chairmen Waxman and Markey for upholding Renewable Electricity Standard in House Climate and Energy Bill

The American Wind Energy Association (AWEA)issued the following statement by AWEA CEO Denise Bode on the mark-up of climate and energy legislation in the House Energy and Commerce Committee. The comprehensive legislation next goes to the full House for debate and consideration.

“The U.S. wind energy industry is pleased that Chairmen Waxman and Markey prevented further weakening of the Renewable Electricity Standard (RES) included in the energy and climate legislation. The RES provisions represent the most immediate and direct measure in the bill to create jobs and reduce carbon emissions,” said AWEA CEO Denise Bode. “We look forward to working with the full House to enact an RES that will provide the certainty businesses need to invest in new factories and ensure the U.S. does not cede manufacturing investment and jobs to other countries that are competing to build up their renewable energy industries.”

The bill passed by the Committee includes an RES of 20% by 2020, permitting states to allow up to 8% of the standard to be met through energy efficiency improvements. AWEA has indicated that while it hails the recognition of the importance of a national RES, such a low level – less than one-half the level originally proposed by President Obama and in Chairman Markey’s original discussion draft -- could severely blunt the signal to the private sector to invest billions of dollars and expand production, manufacturing, and job creation.

A strong RES has nationwide and bipartisan support. A national poll conducted by Garin Hart Yang Research Group from April 29-May 1 found that:

- The national 25% by 2025 RES draws strong and deep support: Three-quarters (75%) of voters favor an RES proposal requiring electric utility companies across the nation to generate at least 25% of their electricity through renewable energy sources by 2025, and that support is deep: a 53% majority strongly favors a national RES, dwarfing the total of those who oppose (both “strongly” and “somewhat”) (16%).

- Support for the RES is bipartisan: 62% of Republicans favor the RES proposal, as do 71% of independents and 86% of Democrats.
Support for the RES runs nationwide, ranging from 84% positive in the Northeast to 75% support in the Midwest and West and 71% support in the South.

For more information please contact Trevor Sievert at ts@windfair.net