The Republican Senator from Kansas, Sam Brownback, may not support greenhouse gas emission limits, but is supporting a 15% renewable electricity standard for 2020

Ahead of the unveiling of an energy bill expected in the Senate today, the first showing of Republican support for a “moderate” national renewable energy standard emerged yesterday.

Kansas Senator Sam Brownback said yesterday although he thought it “wise” not to adopt limits on greenhouse gas emissions during a recession, he would support a 15% nationwide renewable electricity standard for 2020.

The proposal would be lower than the 20% being demanded by Democrats, and would allow up to 4% of the target to be met by energy efficiency measures.

Senator Brownback, who is the Ranking Member of the Water and Power Subcommittee of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, said: “As we begin consideration of comprehensive energy legislation, it’s essential we include ideas that will help drive our national energy production in the direction of more clean, renewable energy.”

The Kansas Senator argued: “With unemployment still hovering close to 10%, the American people have no appetite for legislation that would hurt our economy, while doing little to reduce global temperatures. I would argue that most Americans believe that in addressing any challenge, it’s necessary to adopt a balanced, pragmatic strategy.

“In this case, a moderate RES would be an important step towards a cleaner energy future, but without the job-killing provisions that come with cap and tax,” added Senator Brownback, whose home State would benefit to the tune of $1.477 billion a year under a 20% renewable energy standard according to a Center for Rural Affairs study published last year.

Bill

“Comprehensive” energy legislation unveiled in the House of Representatives today, and expected to be matched by a bill for the Senate to be revealed later today, mainly deals with restructuring of oil and gas leases, with the introduction of new measures to restrict companies with poor safety records in the light of the BP Gulf of Mexico disaster.

A group of 27 Democrat Senators wrote to Senate Leader Harry Reid on Friday to call for a 20% by 2020 national renewable electricity standard in this week’s energy bill.

Senator Reid said last week he didn’t expect to secure the required 60 votes in the Senate to pass a nationwide renewables standard.

Senator Brownback has experience in Kansas with the economic development benefits of renewable energy” - Denise Bode, AWEA

Renewable energy industry groups and environmental interests have been continuing to push for support for a national standard, and it is becoming clear that some Senators who do not support a cap-and-trade limit on greenhouse gas emissions during the economic downturn may support a renewable energy standard.

North Dakota Senator Byron Dorgan, who has repeatedly spoken out against establishing a carbon market, is now also supporting a national renewable energy standard.

The American Wind Energy Association, one of the key lobby groups pressing for a national standard said today that Senator Brownback’s statement on his position was demonstration that “bipartisan support exists”.

The main trade body for the wind industry believes hundreds of thousands of jobs could be reliant on a nationwide standard being adopted.

Denise Bode, AWEA CEO, said: “Senator Brownback has experience in Kansas with the economic development benefits of renewable energy and has promoted renewable energy policy in the Senate, providing a key vote in the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee for the energy bill last year. We believe an RES not only has support for passage, but will strengthen the energy bill’s chances as well.”