U.S. Senate Divided Over Renewable Energy
Senators Disagree on Mandating the Use of Alternative Sources for Electricity
AP reports that the Democratic proposal would require utilities to use sources such as wind turbines and solar panels to produce at least 15% of their electricity by 2020. Currently, only about 2.4% of the nation's electricity is produced using such sources.
Democrats set aside their proposal when it became obvious that there were not enough votes to proceed. The bill can be brought up again when prospects for its passage look better. The chief sponsor of the bill is Jeff Bingaman, a Democrat from New Mexico, who says, according to AP, that the mandated use of alternative sources is needed to move energy companies away from their traditional reliance on coal and natural gas. He sees a 7% reduction in gas emissions if his plan is approved.
Opponents argued that some regions of the country couldn't meet the requirement and that it would cause electricity prices to increase in those areas, especially across the South.
A Republican alternative would have permitted utilities to build nuclear power plans in order to meet the 15% requirement. That was defeated by a 56-39 vote. The squabbling in the Senate indicates that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's goal of getting the energy bill passed before the Senators leave for the July 4th break may be in trouble, says AP.
Senators from the south were concerned about the ability of their region to meet the 15% goal because they lack renewable sources that are readily available in other parts of the country. "I'm not impressed with wind being the national energy source for America," said Senator Pete Domenici, a Republican from New Mexico. Democrats countered with the observation that the south has plenty of trees and plants that can be used for the production of biofuels.
According to AP, there are already renewable fuel requirements in 23 states. Some are more stringent than the proposed Senate energy bill.
Utilities have been fighting the mandated use of renewable energy sources. AP says that one group, the Southern Company, has as its goal the defeat of the proposal.
Another point of contention concerns costs. Senator Jeff Sessions, a Republican from Alaska, reported that the Tennessee Valley Authority has estimated that it would cost $410 million a year by 2020 for it to meet the requirement. Bingaman disputed that estimate.
Sources:
sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi
www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1850298/posts
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1 Comments
Post a CommentThe fact that profits will always be chosen over sound public policy is yet another reason why energy production (including oil) should be nationalized and directed toward sound energy independence, repsonsible resource management, and alternative development.