RENEWABLES IN TROUBLE?

Perhaps Congressman Mark Udall’s (D-Col.) commitment to a national Renewable Electricity Standard (RES) comes from having seen Xcel Energy, his home state’s largest utility, develop renewable sources so quickly it would have met Colorado's standard several years early had the state not ambitiously upped requirements.

Meanwhile, recalcitrant members of the House and Senate who side with the fossil fuel industries persist in calling the legislative package a “no-energy” bill and complaining it is being negotiated “in secret.”

In truth, it is the fossil fuel industry allies who are blocking the open conference process that would resolve differences in House and Senate bills. (See DALLAS PAPER: TEXAS POLS BLOCK ENERGY BILL GOOD FOR TEXAS)

Nevertheless, the obstacles remain. House Minority Whip Roy Blunt (R-Mo.): "You can't move forward with an energy bill that produces less energy. If it produces more energy, it will also produce Republican votes…" What they mean by more energy is more fossil fuels. Drilling in protected offshore ocean regions and Alaskan wilderness. Coal-to-liquids (the idea that lost World War II for the Germans and Japanese).

Keith Hay, Environment Colorado, on Udall’s report the national RES may not pass: "We understand renewable energy is good for the state and good for the country…I think it will be a significant setback, but I am hopeful going forward that the new administration will make this one of their priorities…"

If the national RES cannot pass, there is hope that leaders can at least win Production Tax Credits (PTCs) and Investment Tax Credits (ITCs) for New Energy.

It’s interesting how many good ideas in New Energy and climate protection are brewing in anticipation of the next administration. It’s as if folks sense the American peoples’ demand for New Energy will inevitably be heard in 2008 by the successful candidate.

Udall: Renewable energy standards in bill in jeopardy
Judith Kohler, November 11, 2007 (AP via Provo Daily Herald)
and
House GOP members demand energy bill with ‘energy in it’

WHO
Congressman Mark Udall (D-Col.), Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), Minority Whip Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), Senate and House leaders

With 25 competing state Renewable Electricity Standards (formerly Renewable Portfolio Standards), utilities must conform to multiple and sometimes contradictory requirements. A single national standard would free up the marketplace. (click to enlarge)

WHAT
Udall described the Renewable Electricity Standard (RES) provision of the House energy bill as a sticking point in the negotiations to resolve differences between the House and Senate energy legislation.

WHEN
- Udall helped push through Colorado’s 2004 RES requiring the state’s utilities to get 10% of their electricity from renewable sources by 2015. The state’s leaders, having seen the economic boon the measure has been, upped the standard to 20% by 2020.
- Udall told the AP writer he has meeting with Speaker Pelosi November 14 to get an update on the energy legislation’s progress.

WHERE
Udall and his cousin Tom Udall(D-NM) were prime movers this summer in getting the national RES included into House of Representatives energy legislation.

The way some of these legislators fight improved mileage or emissions standards, it seems like somebody wants US automakers to do something difficult. Turns out US standards are among the lowest in the world, significantly below China. (click to enlarge)

WHY
- The Senate rejected an RES proposal in its energy legislation. Senate leaders instead pushed for a stronger Corporate Average Fuel Efficiency (CAFÉ) standard, requiring US automakers to up the mileage of cars and light trucks to 35 mpg by 2020. And going into the anticipated conference process that would have openly negotiated CAFÉ standards and the RES, it looked like the provisions might be tenuous.
- Both Republican allies of the President and “fossil fuel Democrats” from oil and gas states were adamant about protecting incentives to the oil and gas industry in the 2005 Energy Policy Act.
- But fossil fuel allies blocked the open conference process and Democratic leaders countered by excluding all but a few leaders from the process of hammering out legislation.
- Then various states won high court lawsuits demanding the EPA set vehicle emissions standards. And more and more states like North Carolina and Ohio and Pennsylvania and Virginia began taking up RES measures. Climate change reports continue to attract public attention. And the price of gas has gone to nearly $100/barrel, attracting public attention like never before.
- Many, like Udall, do not anticipate complete success for New Energy. PTCs and ITCs would serve to carry New Energy development forward until 2008, when leaders will likely only succeed by acknowledging the public’s demand for more better new Energy incentives.

A Union of Concerned Scientists study found that a 20% by 2020 national RES would save billions. The House RES, 15% by 2020, certainly represents comparable significant savings.

QUOTES
- Udall: "Those of us who fought really hard in August are not going to rest until the final decision is made…The Southern states think they don't have enough wind and sun and geothermal to meet the renewable energy standard…but many, many experts believe that's not the case."
- Blunt: "We want an energy bill that has energy in it…Gasoline prices are an average 85¢/gal higher since the Democrats took control of Congress in January. Markets react to what they think Congress will do. Every proposal the Democrats put on the table reduces energy supplies instead of increasing them…"