Environmental Leader

The American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) has joined more than 220 groups in signing a letter to Congress that supports a national renewable electricity standard (RES). Supporters say this will provide the long-term policy commitment that businesses need to invest tens of billions of dollars in clean energy and to create thousands of American jobs.

Supporters, including wind developers, environmental groups, utilities and manufacturers, are urging Congress to adopt a national RES this year. Legislation introduced in both the House and Senate would require all states to generate at least 25 percent of their electricity from renewable energy by 2025, says AWEA.

AWEA says renewable energy can create new jobs; wind created 35,000 jobs last year, and studies show that a national renewable electricity standard will also lower consumer electric bills. The wind industry generated over 21,000 megawatts of capacity in 2008, surpassing the amount generated in 2007. AWEA says this capacity will generate over 60 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity in 2009.

In addition, a recent public opinion survey found that 84 percent of Americans support a national renewable electricity standard, reported the Washington Post.