Governors' Wind Energy Coalition

A trio of House Democrats yesterday introduced legislation to require utilities to generate 25 percent of their electricity from renewable sources by 2025.

Reps. Jared Polis (Colo.), Ben Ray Luján (N.M.) and Ann McLane Kuster (N.H.) say the bill would create jobs and promote the growth of wind, solar and other renewable energy sources. It would apply the renewable energy standard concept — already in place in 29 states — to the entire country.

“This is common sense legislation that ensures the United States keeps up with the 138 other countries that already have renewable energy goals or requirements in place,” Polis said in a statement, arguing that the bill would expand economic and environmental benefits from renewable energy.

It is at least the third such bill introduced this session to establish a renewable energy standard. None is expected to gain much traction anytime soon, although they demonstrate the enduring popularity of the RES among renewable energy advocates (E&E Daily, Nov. 5)