US Senators Weigh Plan to Offer a National Clean Energy Standard

Date: June 5, 2007

Source: News Room

Several US Senators plan to offer a measure for a national clean energy portfolio standard. It would be an alternative to the renewable portfolio standard, or RPS, that Sen. Jeff Bingaman, D-N.M., chairman of the energy committee plans to offer as an amendment to an energy package scheduled for floor debate next week. The RPS would require that 15% of the nation's power come from renewable energy sources by 2020. Sen. Domenici said his clean energy portfolio standard would encourage the use of a variety of clean energy resources such as nuclear power, biomass, fuel cells, solar energy, wind power, ocean power, geothermal energy, hydropower, landfill gas and clean coal. Nearly half of all U.S. states already have RPS policies, but many include a broader set of technologies than would be required under Bingaman's RPS. What remains to be seen is whether either measure will be stringent enough to affect change.

To learn more about Sen. Pete Domenici, visit: domenici.senate.gov.

To learn more about Sen. Jeff Bingaman, visit: bingaman.senate.gov.

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