U.S. Senators Tom Udall (D-NM) and Mark Udall (D-CO) have introduced legislation that would require utilities to generate 25 percent of their power from wind, solar and other renewable energy sources by 2025.
According to the cousins, the Renewable Electricity Standard (RES) bill would encourage the growth of U.S. renewable energy hold down utility rates and boost private investments in state economies.
“The global clean energy race is increasingly competitive, and our bill is the best way to help America take the lead and build a thriving clean energy economy,” Tom Udall said in a statement. “A national RES will get America running on homegrown clean energy, create almost 300,000 new jobs and help revitalize our rural communities – all while fighting global warming. I’ve long fought for a ‘do it all, do it right’ energy strategy, and a national RES is a critical part of maximizing our country’s energy potential.”
The bill would set a 6 percent requirement by 2014, followed by gradual increases thereafter to meet the 25 percent by 2025 goal.
According to the senators, studies show that a national RES would create an additional 274,000–297,000 jobs, with more than 50 percent of them in the manufacturing sector.
Including New Mexico and Colorado, 29 states and the District of Columbia already have renewable generation standards with various timelines and targets. The proposed legislation wouldn’t pre-empt states that have stronger standards.