Bennet, Colleagues Unveil New Renewable Electricity Standard

Press Release

Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet today joined Senators Tom Udall (D-NM), Edward Markey (D-MA), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), and Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) to introduce a bill to create jobs, save consumers money and reduce pollution by creating a national Renewable Electricity Standard (RES). The legislation, which would help the United States diversify its energy sources while establishing our leadership in clean energy production, would require utilities to generate 30 percent of their electricity from renewable energy sources by 2030.

The bill would create the first national threshold for utilities to provide a certain percentage of their electricity from renewable resources, including wind, solar, biomass and others. It would set an 8 percent requirement by 2016, followed by gradual and achievable increases thereafter to meet the 30 percent by 2030 goal. More than half of the states already have renewable generation standards with specific timelines and target standards, and the legislation would not preempt stronger standards already implemented by states.

"Colorado's robust renewable energy standard has already helped spark entrepreneurship, innovation and job creation," Bennet said. "Across Colorado, small business owners and renewable energy companies are tapping into the potential of clean, renewable energy sources to create jobs across our state. This bill sets realistic goals that will boost Colorado's clean energy economy and help protect our land, air, and water."

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