Tom Udall: National policy on renewable energy

The environmental benefits derived from increasing the market share for renewable energy resources cannot be overstated. Renewable energy sources produce electricity without emitting conventional pollutants that contribute to acid rain, smog, mercury and other hazardous substances, and provide a crucial start in the effort to reduce the greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming. Studies have shown that a standard like the one in our bill will reduce 400 million tons of carbon-dioxide pollution each year.

Implementing a renewable portfolio standard also makes sound economic sense. According to a recent report from the energy research firm Wood Mackenzie, a standard would produce substantial economic benefits to our country. They found that a standard with a slightly lower requirement than our legislation would save nearly $240 billion in wholesale power costs, lower natural gas costs over the next 20 years, and create a net benefit of more than $100 billion for American consumers. The report also projects that by 2026, wholesale electricity prices would decrease by 7 percent to 11 percent as a result of the increased reliance on renewable sources.

With the stability of a federal standard, the growing renewable energy industry will create hundreds of thousands of well-paying jobs.

Already renewable energy is a major source of new jobs in the otherwise rapidly declining manufacturing sector. The wind energy industry now contributes directly to the economies of 46 states through manufacturing, services, and the construction and operation of wind power facilities. The CEO of GE Energy recently testified that "wind and solar energy are likely to be among the largest sources of new manufacturing jobs worldwide during the 21st century." A Union of Concerned Scientists study found that a 20 percent renewable portfolio standard by 2020 would create more than 350,000 American jobs.

Moreover, renewable energy can help revitalize and preserve rural areas. Farmers and rural land owners in windy areas are reaping payments of $3,000 to $8,000 per turbine per year, while still being able to work their land. The wind harvest can carry pressed farmers through difficult times, like droughts, even if crops fail.

This Friday when energy legislation is expected to come to the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives, we plan to offer the Udall-Platts renewable portfolio standard proposal as an amendment.

Over 23 states and the District of Columbia are already successfully implementing the standards.

The debate this month will be a historic opportunity for Congress to establish a long-overdue national policy that will create jobs, respond to the threat of global warming and promote our energy security simultaneously. Energy legislation that fails to include a long-term national strategy to promote renewable electricity would squander an important opportunity to put America on a path to revolutionize our economy as we work for a cleaner environment.

About the writer:

• Tom Udall, D-N.M., is a member of the House Natural Resources Committee and Rep. Todd R. Platts, R-Pa., is a member of the House Transportation Committee. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.