CAN CONGRESS DO NEW ENERGY

Does A Clean Energy Standard Have Any Chance In Congress?

Laura DeMugno, 15 May 2012 (North American Windpower)

“A new study predicts that an 80% by 2035 clean energy standard, similar to the one introduced by Sen. Jeff Bingaman, D-N.M., in March, could pass both chambers of Congress if it increases electricity rates by less than 5% on average.

“The report, published in the scientific journal Nature Climate Change, concluded that in order for the Senate to pass such a policy, the average increase would have to amount to less than $59 per year for the average U.S. household, and for the House of Representatives to pass it, additional costs would have to be below $48 per year.”

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“A recent report from the Energy Information Administration found that Bingaman's proposal would not increase electricity rates in the first 10 years following its enactment, but rates would likely climb after that…However, customers may be willing to pay for that increase, the authors of the study claim…

“…[T]he average U.S. citizen is willing to pay an additional $162 per year on his or her electric bills in order to purchase clean energy…[S]ome utilities are already offering customers the option to choose renewable energy for a slightly higher premium…Bingaman’s clean energy standard proposal will be the focus of a Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing on May 17.”

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