Two core provisions of H.R.3221, the New Direction for Energy Independence, National Security, and Consumer Protection Act, are reportedly at risk of being dropped from this critical energy-policy bill.
According to the Sustainable Energy Network – a group of more than 500 organizations, businesses and individuals promoting renewable energy and energy efficiency – the extension and expansion of key renewable energy tax incentives and a mandatory national standard of at least 15% of the nation's electricity generated from renewable sources by 2020 are both drawing political dissention.
"Congressional leaders are reportedly contemplating dropping [these] core provisions from the national energy legislation now under consideration by both the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives," the network says.
In turn, the Sustainable Energy Network has delivered a letter to congressional leaders and committee members urging that new national energy legislation include several key sustainable energy provisions.
"Any national energy legislation should extend and expand existing renewable energy tax incentives, particularly the production tax credit for renewable power plants, Clean Renewable Energy Bonds, and the investment tax credits for commercial and residential solar and fuel cell technologies," the letter reads.
The letter further states:"A minimum national standard should be set for producing electricity from renewable energy sources. The House energy bill calls for a standard of 15 percent of the country's electricity to come from renewable sources by 2020. At best, this should be viewed as a minimal goal."
