Senator Mary Landrieu Offers Common Sense Approach to Renewable Electricity Standard

Landrieu-Bayh amendment focuses on greater efficiency as best way to achieve cleaner air, reduce greenhouse gases.

06/04/2009 -- WASHINGTON -- United States Senator Mary L. Landrieu, D-La., today offered a new, commonsense approach to requiring that a greater percentage of the nation's electricity come from renewable sources. The Landrieu amendment would have removed the cap limiting how much energy efficiency gains can be used to meet the renewable electricity mandate. Under the Landrieu proposal, which failed by one vote at today's Energy Committee markup, efficiency gains would have become indistinguishable from any other renewable source of electricity.

"I support the Renewable Electricity Standard's goals of cleaner air and reduced greenhouse gases. But somewhere along the way, RES supporters have confused the means with the end goals," Sen. Landrieu said. "Some Senators have confused our need for cleaner air and reduced greenhouse gas emissions with the desires of special interests to force a new government-subsidized wind power industry.

"Establishing incentives for clean energy sources like wind and solar and hydrokinetics is commendable. But we cannot mandate a market share for those technologies, especially when greater progress on clean air can be achieved through improving the efficiency of existing plants. We should not support energy sources like wind and solar to the detriment of clean coal and nuclear energy. All of these power sources are critical pieces of the diverse energy puzzle that will help make America cleaner and more energy secure.

"But it is most critical that we recognize that the cleanest energy of all, is the energy that is not needed because efficiency improvements have been made. By recognizing the role of energy efficiency, my amendment would have achieved the maximum possible progress in cleaning our air, while simultaneously ensuring that consumers do not face higher electricity rates."

The Landrieu amendment, which was cosponsored by Senator Evan Bayh, D-Ind., and supported by all but one Republican on the Committee, would ensure that an improved electricity standard does not drive up costs for consumers. Sen. Landrieu and colleagues in both parties fear that the current RES proposal could drive up utility bills for already struggling consumers.

Source: Senator Mary L. Landrieu