National R(enewable) P(ortfolio) S(tandard) Bill Introduced on Capitol Hill (20% by 2020)

[jpak]

http://www.renewableenergyaccess.com/rea/news?section=reanews&id=4

New legislation that would require many U.S. utilities to generate 20 percent of their electricity from renewable energy resources by 2020 was introduced yesterday by Congressman Tom Udall of New Mexico.

House bill 969 proposes to "amend title VI of the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 to establish a Federal renewable energy portfolio standard for certain retail electric utilities and for other purposes."

The bill defines a renewable energy resource as solar (including solar water heating), wind, ocean, tidal, geothermal energy, biomass, landfill gas or incremental hydropower.

"A renewable portfolio standard should be passed this Congress," said Alan Nogee, Union of Concerned Scientist Clean Energy Program Director. "The bill gives the American people what they asked for in the election -- a smart, cost-effective strategy to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and get America on a track toward energy independence. And because power plants are a primary source of heat-trapping emissions, this bill can be an important part of solving global warming."

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[jpak]

1. Kicking

This is HUGH!!!!1111 REALLY HUGH!!!!1111

Currently, 23 (blue and purple) states have RPSs of 5-30% by 2010-2025.

If this passes, this will open huge renewable electricity markets in the South and West - the so-called Sun Belt.

...and it will create hundreds of thousands of new good paying jobs...

:bounce:

[JohnWxy]

2. recommended.

I just hope the Repubs will let the Democrats put in place means to achieve this end!