Massachusetts and
the US
can reap the rewards from a federal renewable electricity standard
Read the Report.
Boston, MA—Massachusetts’ renewable electricity standard
(RES) could cut pollution, save money, create jobs, and fuel a clean energy
boom in Massachusetts, as in the other 24 U.S. states that have passed similar
policies, according to a new report released today by Environment Massachusetts.
Environment Massachusetts
called on Congress to establish a national RES.
America
now generates twice as much electricity from the wind and the sun as it did
just four years ago. RES policies have been among the most important factors in
encouraging the development of renewable energy. The new report, Reaping the Rewards, documents the
benefits that have already been achieved by states that have adopted renewable
electricity standards.
“In Massachusetts,
if we expand and improve our renewable electricity standard to reach beyond
2009, as now defined, we can fuel the kind of clean energy boom that other states
are already seeing. At the same time, a
nation-wide RES will give America
the kind of advantages that RES states are seeing.” said Diana Connett, Energy
Associate with Environment Massachusetts.
Reaping the Rewards
found that the 24 RES states are leading the way in renewable energy
development.
·
In 2006, more than two-thirds of all new
renewable electric generating capacity in the United States was built in RES
states.
· In
Massachusetts, the short span of the standard along with a too-low price cap
have allowed electricity providers to get away without investing in real
renewable energy, and so Massachusetts gets less than 2% of its energy from new
clean, renewable sources.
· In
2007, renewables account for about 38 percent of planned capacity additions in
RES states, compared to just 12 percent in non-RES states. There are currently 3
megawatts of renewable energy capacity proposed in Massachusetts.
The report also found significant environmental benefits as
a result of new renewable energy development. Renewable energy sources built
after the adoption of state RES policies will
·
reduce America’s
global warming emissions by approximately 8.4 million metric tons per year, the
equivalent of taking more than 1.5 million cars off America’s roads.
·
avert approximately 2,100 tons of nitrogen oxide
emissions, 44 tons of sulfur dioxide emissions, and 220 tons of non-methane
hydrocarbon emissions each year.
·
save approximately 1.2 billion gallons of water
per year.
Renewable energy can play an important role in revitalizing America’s
economy by creating new high quality jobs and accelerating rural economic
development. In Massachusetts, Evergreen Solar
just broke ground last week on a new manufacturing facility, following Gov.
Patrick’s earlier announcement committing Massachusetts to reach 250 megawatt capacity
for solar power. RES policies play an important role in attracting manufacturing
facilities by making a long-term commitment to building the market for
renewable energy technologies.
“Our Congressional delegation deserves credit for recognizing
the benefits of jumpstarting renewable energy and working for a federal
standard. Here in Massachusetts, we need to raise the bar and
commit to 20% renewable energy by 2020,” said Connett.
In order to expand the benefits of renewable energy
development, the report concludes that the United
States should adopt a renewable electricity standard
requiring at least 25 percent of America’s electricity to come from
new renewable sources by 2025. This
summer, the House passed a national RES that would establish a 15 percent
requirement. The Senate also passed energy legislation this summer, but did not
include an RES. The Senate can accept the House RES when the two bills are
negotiated in conference this fall.
“The House has taken an important step in the right
direction by passing the RES, and the Senate should join them. In addition to
strong fuel economy improvements and energy efficiency provisions, no energy
bill will be complete without a national renewable electricity standard,”
concluded Connett.
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Environment Massachusetts is the new home for MASSPIRG’s
environmental work
