We need you to make a quick phone call to Sen. Grassley!

The Senate will soon start work on the energy bill, and it 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 (RES) that would help create a fair market 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, although according
to his staff he is taking a "wait and see" approach this year.  Please call
or fax his office today and ask that Grassley sign onto Senator Jeffords
letter of support for the bill. Grassley's support is needed now not later.
His endorsement will be very important in getting the votes necessary to
make a national Renewable Energy Standard a reality.

Call Senator Grassley's office at: 202-224-3744 or fax 202-224-6020 and tell
the person who answers the phone you want to urge the Senator to sign on to
Senator Jeffords letter of support for the National Renewable Energy
Standard!
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.



For questions, contact:
Michelle Kenyon
Iowa Citizen Action Network (319) 354-8116, [log in to unmask]
and
Rich Dana
Iowa Renewable Energy Consultant, Union of Concerned Scientists
Past President, Program Director, Iowa Renewable Energy Association
2702 B Ave., Guernsey, IA 52221
(319)685-4270 (H), (319)530-6051 (C)
e-mail: [log in to unmask]



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