Food today or energy for tomorrow?

The renewable electricity standard requirements have undergone some major changes and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.) says he thinks that it is finally time to send them to the President Obama “The requirement has been changed from 15% by 2020 to 20% by 2021. Second, the resources that can be used have been expanded. Up to one quarter of the requirement can come from energy efficiency. We have also included new hydropower at existing dams that currently do not have generation.”

Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) says that states are in a far better position than Congress to determine what works best for them. “A one-size-fits-all national standard raises serious concerns about regional disparities. She continued to say that while some parts of our nation are blessed with abundant renewable resources others, particularly the Southeast, lack them in order to reach a 20% requirement.

One of the witnesses, South Carolina Public Service Commissioner David Wright, voiced concern that South Carolina has one of the lowest income levels in the U.S. and therefore many people are unable to participate in energy efficiency efforts. Wright said that his state can’t afford to choose between putting food on the table today or thinking about conserving energy for tomorrow.

More hearings are scheduled to discuss this issue to iron out the crinkles in this plan.

by Suzia van Swol, University of New Mexico-Talk Radio News Service