Bill targets renewable electricity generation standard

Sens. Tom Udall (D-NM), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Tina Smith (D-MN) and Angus King (I–ME) introduced Wednesday legislation designed to create a federal standard regarding renewable electricity generation.

Beginning next year, the Renewable Electricity Standard (RES) Act of 2019 would require electricity providers across the country increase their supply of renewable energy from sources like wind and solar each year.

The lawmakers said the goal is to achieve at least 50 percent renewable electricity nationwide in just 15 years, which they said would place America on pace to decarbonize the power sector by 2050.

“Climate change poses an existential threat to our environment, public health, way of life, and security – requiring an immediate and aggressive federal response to achieve significant cuts in carbon emissions as well as other pollutants that hurt our most vulnerable communities,” Udall said. “But the Trump administration and the majority in the Senate have turned their back on Americans and many in New Mexico who are right in the bull’s eye of climate change. As states step up with legislation to increase the use of renewable energy, the entire country needs to follow suit – or it will soon be too late.”

Heinrich said increased use of renewable energy would move the nation toward a sustainable future and a stronger economy.

“The Renewable Electricity Standard Act will help chart a path to reduced dependence on fossil fuels and incentivizes stronger investments in solar and wind technologies,” Heinrich said. “Transitioning to renewable energy will allow New Mexicans to save money on their monthly energy bills and will create thousands of new, high-paying jobs all across our state. We have the resources, the technology, and the human capital to modernize our grid and reach our climate goals.”