San Francisco, CA—Standing
before hundreds of pinwheels signed by residents and spread out in front of the
Civic Center,
Environment California today highlighted the potential and support for
renewable energy in California.
The 264 pinwheels were displayed to represent the number of wind turbines that
could supply 20 percent of San Francisco’s
electricity. Environment California called on Congress to establish a national
Renewable Electricity Standard requiring that utilities generate 20% of their
electricity from renewable sources like wind and solar by 2020, an issue that
will be debated in the House and Senate this month.
U.S. Representative Jerry McNerney, (CA-11), a former wind
energy engineer, is one the primary sponsors of HR 969, which calls for a 20%
by 2020 Renewable Electricity Standard.
“As a wind energy engineer for 20 years, I know that there is tremendous
renewable energy growth potential in wind, solar, geothermal, and biofuels,”
said Rep. Jerry McNerney. “Now that I am in Congress, I am committed to
expanding the use of new energy technology because it’s both good for our
economy and our environment.”
“There is no question that America
has the know-how to move beyond fossil fuels and to tap into our abundant
renewable energy resources,” said Moira Chapin, Federal Field Organizer for
Environment California. “But right now we’re just sitting on a winning lottery
ticket when it comes to renewable energy—we’re not tapping into the potential
that exists here in California.”
Currently, California
derives only 11.9 percent of its electricity from clean, renewable sources of
energy like wind and solar power. Countries like Denmark
currently derive more than 20 percent of their overall electricity generation
from wind power alone.
One of the most proven policies to drive renewable energy
development, an RES, also known as a “renewable portfolio standard” or RPS, was
first enacted in California in
2002, and since then more than 20 states have followed suit. Due to the economic and environmental benefits
these policies have delivered, California
strengthened our RPS last year; nine other states have also strengthened or
expanded their standards.
With Congress seeking to address energy security and global
warming this summer, there is momentum building to establish a national RES. Environment California
called on Congress to pass legislation to establish a national RES of 20
percent by 2020.
“Now is the time to take bold steps toward a new energy
future,” said Chapin. “The result will be
a cleaner and more secure economy, new jobs for today and tomorrow, and stable
energy prices for consumers,” continued Chapin.
An analysis by the Union of Concerned Scientists found that a
standard of 20 percent by 2020 would create 355,000 jobs, save consumers $49
billion on their electric bills, and direct $16.2 billion to rural communities.
Environment California
called on California’s
Congressional Delegation to cosponsor legislation introduced by Representatives
Udall (D-NM) and Platts (R-PA), H.R. 969, which would establish a 20% by 2020
Renewable Electricity Standard.
“Californians want to put American innovation and
ingenuity to work to solve our energy problems,” stated Chapin. “By supporting HR 969, California’s Representatives can help deliver on the promise of
renewable energy,” concluded Chapin.
