Senators seek recognition for more renewable energy technologies

If Congress does ever agree a national renewable energy standard, the Senators from Wisconsin and Nevada want it to include more technologies

Two US Senators introduced legislation into Congress yesterday to add new forms of renewable energy system to those that count towards clean energy incentives.

Senators Russ Feingold from Wisconsin and John Ensign from Nevada want to see solar water heating systems, geothermal heat pumps and efficient lighting systems eligible for incentives like a Renewable Electricity Standard (RES).

The Feingold-Ensign Support Renewable Energy Act would mean proposals for a nationwide RES recognizing a wider range of technology as counting towards utility targets to source a certain amount of energy from renewable sources.

“As Congress considers reforming our energy policies, instead of picking winners and losers, we should be encouraging all types of renewable energy,” said Sen. Feingold.

Jobs

The Senators said recognizing more technologies as being renewable for the purposes of financial incentives would help manufacturing, installation and construction businesses to create jobs and support local economies through difficult times.

It would also mean less stress on the electricity grid since more energy would come from distributed sources, they said, along with reducing dependence on foreign fossil fuels.

“Creating jobs for Nevadans is a priority in these troubled economic times, and so is lessening our dependence on foreign oil,” said Sen. Ensign.

“Our bipartisan legislation will do both: create jobs for Nevadans, as well as promote our nation’s energy independence.”

Sen Feingold said: “A host of Wisconsin businesses have been working to advance innovative technologies, such as solar water heating or solar light pipes that can help increase our use of renewable energy. Our bill would help these innovative businesses create jobs and boost Wisconsin’s economy, while helping reduce our dependence on fossil fuels like foreign oil.”