SACE Responds to Proposed Federal RES
KNOXVILLE, TN. (September 23, 2010) In response to Tuesday’s introduction of bipartisan legislation to enact a federal Renewable Electricity Standard (RES), Southern Alliance for Clean Energy (SACE) released the following statement from Executive Director Dr. Stephen A. Smith:
“In the Southeastern United States we have an abundance of renewable energy resources languishing under a deficit of political leadership. For this reason, we applaud the bipartisan efforts in the U.S. Senate to enact a federal RES and view this as an important first step towards a clean electricity economy. An RES will give our electric utilities the encouragement and opportunity to begin incorporating home-grown renewable energy technologies into the grid and establish a national framework for trading renewable energy credits. An RES will support one of the few segments of the U.S. economy that is growing and employing people.”
“Quick Senate action to promote renewable energy is crucial to the United States’ continued economic prosperity, as China is surpassing us in clean-energy investments. If the Senate fails to pass an RES we will see our budding clean energy industries shrivel. But to fulfill the real potential for wind power, solar, and sustainable biomass to grow jobs and reduce global warming pollution, we must strengthen this Renewable Electricity Standard (RES) bill.”
“Throughout the Southeast, we see potential for significant job retention and creation under a stronger RES. PPG Industries in Shelby, NC makes fiberglass for wind turbine blades; Suniva Solar in Norcross, GA makes polysilicon solar cells; Decker Energy International in Winter Park, FL develops sustainable biopower plants; and in TN alone four companies have pledged investments exceeding $2 billion for development of solar photovoltaic manufacturing. These employers and many more will grow under a strong RES.”
“We look forward to working with Senate leaders to strengthen and pass this important legislation, which is sorely needed to continue incremental progress towards a cleaner, safer, more reliable energy future.” # # # Southern Alliance for Clean Energy is a nonprofit organization that promotes responsible energy choices that create global warming solutions and ensure clean, safe, and healthy communities throughout the Southeast. www.cleanenergy.org