U.S. Sens. Russ Feingold, D-Wis., and John Ensign, R-Nev., are introducing renewable energy legislation that would ensure all forms of renewable energy meet a potential renewable electricity standard (RES).
Current RES proposals in Congress require utilities to use a certain amount of renewable energy, but limit the types of renewable energy that would qualify. The Feingold-Ensign Support Renewable Energy Act will allow all forms of renewable energy to qualify, such as small-scale renewable energy technologies.
‘As Congress considers reforming our energy policies, instead of picking winners and losers, we should be encouraging all types of renewable energy,’ says Feingold.
This bill could help stimulate local economies, as utilities would likely partner with local businesses to supply the renewable energy, says Feingold. The bill would also help to reduce stress on the electricity transmission grid by encouraging renewable energies that do not have to go through the grid, he adds.
SOURCE: Office of Sen. Russ Feingold