House Passes Key Renewable Energy Amendment (Nat'l Audubon Society statement)

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http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/08-04-2007/0004639348&EDATE=

WASHINGTON, Aug. 4 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- "The Udall-Platts
renewable energy amendment passed by the House sets our nation on a new
course. Cleaner sources of electricity exist today and a renewable
electricity standard ensures that all states will share in the benefits of
cleaner air while reducing global warming pollution. The House has taken a
decisive step, and we urge all conferees to keep this commitment to clean
energy in the final energy bill that emerges from Congress."

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Twenty-three states and the District have already passed an RES, also
called a renewable portfolio standard or RPS, which would require utilities
to gradually increase the amount of renewable energy they use to generate
electricity each year. It creates a market-based mechanism of tradable
renewable energy credits -- similar to the Clean Air Act trading system --
allowing utilities to meet the requirements at the lowest cost.

The key provision requires a total of 15 percent of U. S. electricity
to come from renewable energy sources and enhanced efficiency by 2020. The
vote was a high priority for the National Audubon Society. Leading up to
the vote, thousands of Audubon volunteers, chapter leaders and activists
had been encouraged to call or write their member of Congress. The
amendment was sponsored by Reps. Tom Udall (D-NM) and Todd Platts (R-PA).

Under the amendment, utilities would receive a credit for every
kilowatt of electricity they produce from wind, solar, geothermal, tidal,
ocean, and biomass energy -- which includes capturing the gas from
landfills and animal waste -- as well as for improvements made to existing
hydroelectric facilities. These credits could be traded or sold among
utilities, or bought from the Department of Energy.

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