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Illinois
passes impressive Renewable Electricity and Efficiency Standards On July 27, the Illinois General Assembly approved a 25 percent Renewable Electricity Standard (RES) and Energy Efficiency Portfolio Standard (EEPS), considered two of the most aggressive such policies in the nation. Illinois utilities will supply 2 percent of their power from renewable electricity sources by 2008, 10 percent by 2015, and 25 percent by 2025. Illinois is considered a transmission hub, making renewable electricity affordable for consumers while providing economic benefits to farmers and rural economic development. According to the Black and Veatch engineering firm, Illinois presently has 5,500 megawatts of wind power already in development—roughly the amount Minnesota will need to meet its own 25 percent by 2020 Renewable Electricity Standard. The Twin Groves wind project in central Illinois is projected to be completed by the end of 2007, making it the largest wind project east of the Mississippi, producing 400 megawatts of electricity. The EEPS is expected to save Illinois electricity consumers approximately $2 billion dollars by 2020. The EEPS will reduce electricity demand by 2 percent annually by 2015, essentially stopping growth rate completely by 2013. This regulation is expected to avoid 37 million metric tons of CO2 emissions by 2020. |
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U.S.
House of Representatives passes strong energy bill On August 5, the U.S. House of Representatives passed an energy bill that requires utilities to obtain at least 15 percent of their power from energy efficiency and renewable sources like wind, solar, and biomass by 2020. The bill passed by a 241 to 172 vote margin. This legislation is expected to save consumers money, create good jobs, and reduce global warming emissions. The energy bill will also increase national security and energy independence. It is a good first step for the federal government toward enacting energy policies already embraced by many state leaders. The Union of Concerned Scientists has calculated this legislation will save U.S. consumers $13 billion dollars on energy bills by 2020. The national energy bill is expected to reduce global warming pollution by 27 million metric tons annually through 2030, the equivalent of taking 18 million cars off the highways. CAFE standard excluded The House failed to include the Senate provision that would increase the fuel economy (CAFE) minimum to 35 miles per gallon by 2018. The Union of Concerned Scientists has concluded that this increase in fuel efficiency would save consumers $61 at the gas pump and increase auto industry jobs by 23,900 by 2020. Congress will hopefully include this provision when they reconcile legislation differences this fall. |
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