States Reap Rewards of Clean Energy Standards

WASHINGTON, DC, September 18, 2007 (ENS) - State renewable electricity standards, RES, are cutting pollution, saving money, creating jobs, and fueling a clean energy boom in all 25 U.S. states that have passed similar policies, finds a new report released today by the U.S. Public Interest Research Group, US PIRG.

In view of these findings, U.S. PIRG called on Congress to establish a national renewable electricity standard.

"Citizens across the nation are already reaping the rewards from the states' leadership on clean energy," said Sean Garren, U.S. PIRG clean energy associate. "Thanks to state renewable electricity standards, clean energy is booming in the U.S."

The new report, "Reaping the Rewards," documents the benefits that have been achieved by states with renewable electricity standards.

In 2007, more than 70 percent of planned renewable generation is expected to be built in RES states.

The report shows that in 2006, more than two-thirds of all new renewable electric generating capacity in the United States was built in RES states.

America now generates twice as much electricity from the wind and the sun as it did just four years ago and RES policies have been among the most important factors in encouraging the development of renewable energy, Garren says.

Texas stands out as the state with the most successful renewable energy development in recent years, adding 2,000 megawatts of new renewable energy capacity. Texas is followed by Washington, New York, and Colorado.

The report also found environmental benefits from new renewable energy development.

Renewable energy sources built after the adoption of state RES policies will reduce America's greenhouse gas emissions by 8.4 million metric tons per year, the equivalent of taking more than 1.5 million cars off the roads.

About 2,100 tons of nitrogen oxide emissions, 44 tons of sulfur dioxide emissions, and 220 tons of non-methane hydrocarbon emissions will be eliminated each year by the renewable power sources, U.S. PIRG calculates, and the 1.2 billion gallons of water per year would be saved.

Renewable energy has benefited rural economies. Texas landowners now receive an estimated $9.5 million in royalty payments from wind farm operators, while one town in rural Colorado saw its tax base increase by 29 percent as a result of a wind farm development there.

RES policies can attract manufacturing facilities by making a long-term commitment to building the market for renewable energy technologies.

"State officials across the nation deserve tremendous credit for recognizing the benefits of jumpstarting renewable energy and taking action," said Garren.

In order to expand the benefits of renewable energy development, the report concludes that the United States should adopt a renewable electricity standard requiring at least 25 percent of America's electricity to come from new renewable sources by 2025.

This summer, the House passed a national RES that would establish a 15 percent requirement. The Senate also passed energy legislation this summer, but did not include an RES. The Senate could accept the House RES when the two bills are negotiated in conference this fall.

Copyright Environment News Service (ENS) 2007. All rights reserved.