AWEA Responds to Bingaman, Brownback Renewable Electricity Standard Bill

“We applaud Senators Bingaman, Brownback, Dorgan, and Collins for introducing a Renewable Electricity Standard (RES). This bill comes at a time when Americans need jobs and more clean energy resources. And wind energy can create jobs and clean energy right here at home.

China is open for business and it’s now the most attractive market for clean energy businesses – which means our jobs could go overseas.

The RES is the single most important thing we can do to grow jobs here in the United States and keep 85,000 American wind power workers on the job. This bill sends a signal to manufacturers that the time is right to invest in and grow their operations here in America.

Wind works for America. It’s a free and renewable resource providing long-term stable energy prices for American families. A 2007 study by global energy consulting firm Wood MacKenzie evaluating a 15% RES by 2020 found that electricity prices would decrease by 7%-11%.

Over the last few years, we’ve seen new factories and wind farms grow here at home. And we know that clean energy technology can continue to be one of the bright spots in the U.S. economy. But, to save and grow American jobs, we need the Senate to pass a Renewable Electricity Standard now!”

www.awea.org