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US ‘Clean Energy Standard’ proposed by Senator
- 12 years ago (2012-03-06)
- Junior Isles
US Senator Jeff Bingaman has proposed the enactment of a ‘Clean Energy Standard’, which would reassure renewables investors, diversify US power generation and help to reduce carbon emissions.
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The Clean Energy Standard (CES) Act of 2012 would require electric utilities to supply up to 84 percent of their electricity from renewable or carbon neutral sources by 2035.
Electricity generation from renewable sources like wind and solar, as well as low carbon nuclear, and carbon neutral CSS natural gas and coal would be eligible to earn credits under the new proposal.
Zero-carbon generators would be entitled for full credits, while low-carbon generators would receive only partial credits depending on their particular carbon intensity, compared with the most efficient coal-fired power station.
“The goal of the CES is ambitious – a doubling of clean energy by 2035. Meeting the CES will yield substantial benefits to our health, our economy, our global competitiveness and our economy,” said Bingaman.
Nonetheless, the Senator recognises the proposal is unlikely to make it through Congress without some difficulty, and points out that the CES explicitly does not put a limit on overall emissions, like the EU ETS, or limit the growth of electricity generation.
“I don’t entertain the illusion that the proposal will sweep through Congress and get signed into law this year, but it’s an important discussion to have,” he has commented.
The bill is being cosponsored by Colorado Senator Tom Udall and backed by five other Democrat Senators including former presidential candidate, John Kerry.
Vestas, a major renewable stakeholder, had warned that the sector was in for tough times unless some proposal such as CES ends uncertainty for US investors.