This is from Rich Dana, of I-RENEW:
Hi Folks-
Mark up will be starting soon on the senate energy bill, and is essential
that we make it known that any energy legislation that is passed must have a
strong renewable energy component. Sen. Jeffords has proposed a national
renewable energy standard that would help create the fair marketplace for
renewables, while improving environmental quality and increasing our national
security by reducing dependence on foreign fuel supplies.
Senator Grassley is a key player in this debate- he supported an RES last
year and we need to remind him to continue that support. Please call or fax
his office and ask him to sign Senator Jeffords letter of support for the
bill - his support will be key in getting the Republican support necessary
to make a national renewable energy energy standard a reality.
Please contact Mr. Grassley's office at: 202-224-3744 or fax 202-224-6020
Talking points:
Benefits of a Strong Renewable Electricity Standard: An RES would save
consumers money on their utility bills, benefit farmers, spur economic
development, improve our energy security and reduce pollution that threatens
public health.
… The RES is good for consumers. A study by the U.S. Energy Information
Administration (EIA) shows that a renewable electricity standard of 20
percent by 2020 would lower natural gas prices, and result in no net increase
in consumer energy bills.
… The RES will spur economic development. According to the Department of
Energy, generating just 5% of U.S. electricity use from wind power alone by
2020 could provide $1.2 billion in new income for farmers and rural
landowners and create 80,000 new jobs.
… The RES keeps our energy dollars working at home. The UCS analysis found
that by 2020 last year's Senate passed RES would produce 74,000 megawatts of
electricity -- enough electricity to power 53 million homes. The Jeffords
bill (Senate) would do even more to keep our energy dollars at home.
… The RES increases our energy security. By diversifying our energy supply
and reducing our reliance on centralized power sources, we can make our
electricity supply less vulnerable to disruption.
… The RES takes us a step towards a clean, safe and affordable energy future
. The increased use of clean renewable electricity will reduce air pollution
from dirty fossil-fueled power plants that threaten public health.
Nationally, the weaker RES passed by the Senate last year would reduce carbon
emissions - a major cause of global warming - by about 27 million metric tons
by the year 2020. The Jeffords bill (Senate) would result in even greater
CO2 emissions reductions.
Thanks everyone for supporting a strong renewable electricity standard!
Please contact me with any questions.
-Rich
[log in to unmask]
Erin E. Jordahl
Director, Iowa Chapter Sierra Club
3839 Merle Hay Road, Suite 280
Des Moines, IA 50310
515-277-8868
[log in to unmask]
www.iowa.sierraclub.org
Erin E. Jordahl
Director, Iowa Chapter Sierra Club
3839 Merle Hay Road, Suite 280
Des Moines, IA 50310
515-277-8868
[log in to unmask]
www.iowa.sierraclub.org
Erin E. Jordahl
Director, Iowa Chapter Sierra Club
3839 Merle Hay Road, Suite 280
Des Moines, IA 50310
515-277-8868
[log in to unmask]
www.iowa.sierraclub.org
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