Energy Program News

As the new home of OSPIRG's environmental work, Environment Oregon can be contacted regarding this news release.

OSPIRG applauds Senators Ron Wyden and Gordon Smith who voted for clean energy today when the U.S. Senate passed an energy bill amendment offered by Senator Bingaman (NM) to establish a Renewable Electricity Standard (RES) today. Renewable energy such as wind, solar, geothermal and biomass is a win-win for our environment and our economy, helping to reduce global warming pollution while creating jobs, saving consumers money, generating income for farmers and diversifying our energy mix.

The renewable energy requirement requires that utilities gradually increase the portion of electricity produced from renewable resources such as wind, biomass, geothermal, and solar energy. Nineteen states and the District of Columbia have passed renewable energy standards.

The Renewable Energy Requirement included in the Senate energy bill requires utilities to furnish at least 10 percent of their electricity from renewable energy sources by 2020. A study by the U.S. Energy Information Administration shows that a renewable electricity standard of 10 percent by 2020 would result in a reduction in electricity prices. The Union of Concerned Scientists found that a 10 percent standard by 2020 could save energy consumers nearly $27 billion between 2002 and 2020.

OSPIRG is a nonpartisan public interest advocacy organization with 33,000 members statewide.