Senators Markey and Merkley Lead Effort Calling for 100% Clean and Renewable Energy by 2050

Statement

Senators Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and Jeff Merkley (D-Oreg.) today introduced a Senate resolution calling for generating 100 percent of the electricity consumed in the United States from clean and renewable energy resources by 2050. The resolution points to the enormous job creation potential of transitioning to renewable energy sources such as wind, solar and geothermal, particularly in communities with high rates of unemployment or underemployment. There are currently 310,000 individuals in the United States employed in the solar industry and 88,000 in the wind industry. The United States is projected to add more electric generating capacity from solar and wind than from any other source in 2016. More than half of all new electricity capacity added in the world in 2015 was renewable

"As a technological giant, the United States must continue to lead the clean energy revolution," said Senator Markey. "The question is no longer if we can power our country with 100 percent renewable energy, it's when and how we will make the transition. Moving to 100 percent clean energy will power job creation that is good for all creation. We can and will meet this goal and now, more than ever, it is critical that we stand up and fight for our clean energy future. I thank Senator Merkley for his partnership introducing this resolution that sets out the bold goal of generating 100 percent renewable energy by the year 2050."

"Today's resolution sends a message loud and clear to our Senate colleagues: It's time to get serious about our climate efforts with big, bold and rapid moves to accelerate the clean energy economy," said Senator Merkley. "Transitioning to clean and renewable energy is not only the right thing to do for clean air and a strong economy, it is what we must do to save our beautiful blue-green planet."

Other Senators supporting the resolution include Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii).

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