Study Finds National Renewable Electricity Standard Would Save
Texas Consumers $4.7 billion, Create 19,400 Jobs
Representative Barton Kills National Renewable Energy Standard
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Tuesday, July 27, 2005
Contacts:
Karen Hadden 512-797-8481
Eric Young 202-331-5439
DALLAS, July 27 — A national renewable electricity standard would save Texas consumers billions on their energy bills and boost rural economies, according to a new study released today by the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS). The national renewable electricity standard, also known as a renewable portfolio standard, would require that 10 percent of our nation's electricity come from clean renewable sources like wind, solar, and bioenergy.
In June, the U.S. Senate passed an amendment to include the 10 percent renewable electricity standard in the broader energy bill. This is the third time in four years a bipartisan Senate majority approved the standard, while the House bill continued to exclude the provision. As Chair of the Energy and Commerce committee, Representative Joe Barton led the House side in opposition to the provision, which was defeated in conference committee on July 26. Rep. Barton's actions come a week after the Texas legislature approved an expanded renewable energy goal for Texas.
"We are deeply disappointed that Rep. Barton acted to defeat the renewable electricity standard. His decision burdens the people of Texas with higher electricity bills and more pollution by casting his vote with the fossil fuel industry", said Karen Hadden, Executive Director of the Sustainable Energy and Economic Development (SEED) Coalition.
The UCS study found that if Congress included the 10 percent Senate standard in the final energy bill, Texas families and businesses would save $4.7 billion on energy bills, primarily by reducing the demand for – and the price of – natural gas.
The analysis found that a national renewable electricity standard of 10 percent by 2020 would produce additional benefits for Texas such as:
- Jobs: 19,400 new high-skilled jobs in manufacturing, construction, operation, maintenance, and other industries – 3.7 times more jobs than new natural gas and coal power plants would create
- Economic Development: $5 billion in capital investment, $228 million in income for ranchers and rural landowners, and $349 million in new local tax revenues
- Consumer Savings: $4.7 billion in lower electricity and natural gas bills
- Healthier Environment: national reductions of global warming pollution equal to taking 24.7 million cars off the road, plus less haze, smog, acid rain, mercury contamination, and water use
"Representative Barton missed an opportunity reduce natural gas prices, save consumers money, create jobs, and boost rural economic development by tapping into clean energy," said Jeff Deyette, Senior Analyst for the Union of Concerned Scientists.
Take Action:
Tell Congressman Barton that his opposition to a Renewable Electricity Standard hurts Texans, and it's time to support renewable goals.
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