Progressive Democrat Issue 99: A STATEMENT ON ENERGY POLICY: from the Union of Concerned Scientists

Recently I have written about energy policy at some length and how clean alternative energy has many benefits for America: reducing pollution and carbon dioxide, creation of local, American jobs, and energy independence. One of my articles was seen by people at the Union of Concerned Scientists and they wrote me to agree with me and send me their statement on the issue. So here is a statement from the Union of Concerned Scientists regarding American energy policy with some links to useful resources:

More States Tackle Global Warming with New and Improved Renewable Standards; Odds of Federal Action Increase

Overshadowed in last week's election was news that the state of Washington became the 21st state plus the District of Columbia to adopt a renewable electricity standard, and the second state to do so via a ballot initiative. Under the provisions of I-937 (known as the "Clean Energy Initiative"), the state's largest utilities will be required to furnish 15 percent of their electricity generation from renewable sources by 2015. In addition, the initiative requires Washington utilities to pursue low-cost energy conservation opportunities with their customers.

Washington voters have created a long-term market for clean energy technologies in their state, a significant step forward in reducing power plant production of heat-trapping gases responsible for global warming. According to a study of the initiative by the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS), I-937 would result in cutting 4.6 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually by 2025 - equivalent to taking 750,000 cars off the road.

One week earlier in Arizona, the Arizona Corporate Commission (ACC) voted 4-1 to boost the state's previous modest renewable standard from 1.1 percent by 2007 to a more robust standard of 15 percent by 2025. Arizona joins nine other states that have increased or strengthened their renewable electricity standard, demonstrating the continued popularity of this effective policy.

As in Washington, Arizona's increased standard creates new renewable energy opportunities and advances the fight against global warming. UCS projects that the new rule will result in an increase of more than 3,000 megawatts of new renewable energy capacity compared with the old rule, and will reduce annual carbon dioxide emissions by about 7.6 million metric tons by 2025 - roughly equivalent to taking 1.1 million cars off the road.

Action on renewable energy in Washington and Arizona echoes a new sense of support for a federal renewable electricity standard. At least four new Democratic Senate members and over 15 of the new members in the US of Representatives have indicated their support for measures that would encourage the use of more renewable energy. The new chairman of the Senate Energy Committee, Senator Jeff Bingaman (D-NM), has championed a federal renewable electricity standard that has passed the Senate three times. He has vowed to bring the measure before that body early in the new legislative session.

If the federal government adopted a 10 percent by 2020 national standard-just two-thirds of the level required by Arizona and Washington-America would increase its total homegrown renewable power capacity fivefold over present levels. This level of development would reduce annual power plant carbon dioxide emissions by as much as 215 million metric tons nationally by 2020 - the equivalent of taking 24 millions cars, or nearly one tenth of the total U.S. auto fleet, off the road.

The Union of Concerned Scientists played an integral role in both the Washington and Arizona victories. Moving forward, UCS can assist your reporting by putting renewable energy issues in both a local and national context, while shedding light on how the growth of renewables will affect consumers, businesses and the environment. To speak to any of our energy analysts, please contact me at ahuertas@ucsusa.org or 202-331-5458.

Additional UCS resources available online:


Renewable Energy-Mitigating Global Warming

Renewable Electricity Standards at Work in the States

The Washington Clean Energy Initiative: Effects of I-937 on Consumers, Jobs and the Economy

Renewing America's Economy: U.S. Senate 10 Percent National Renewable Electricity Standard Will Save Consumers Money, and Create Jobs

Keep fighting for clean energy and American jobs. Help the Union of Concerned Scientists lobby for energy independence.