Clean energy bill unveiled (20% RPS by 2020, Mass.)

[jpak]

http://www.southcoasttoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071109/NEWS/711090319/1018/OPINION

BOSTON — Massachusetts would meet at least 20 percent of its energy needs by 2020 with renewable energy such as wind, hydroelectric and solar under sweeping legislation proposed Thursday by House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi.

Rep. DiMasi was joined by Gov. Deval Patrick, Attorney General Martha Coakley and Senate leaders as he rolled out the legislation, which is expected to be approved by the House next Thursday.

The bill, which was subject to negotiations for 11 months, would require the state to increase its use of renewable energy by five times what it is now.

"This is a comprehensive plan that will result in energy conservation and efficiency, as well as creating new, alternative sources that are clean and renewable," Speaker DiMasi said at a press conference in the House members' lounge. "We are today embarking on a new era of energy reform that is bold and innovative and will forever change how we purchase and use and create our energy here in Massachusetts.

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[jptrenn]

1. This shows passing RES standards can be done

Right now, on the federal level, there's a bill in Congress that calls for something similar. And it is doable, but there's a lot of resistance from legislators who represent states that have competing energy industries.

The bill calls for the US to get 15% of its electrical energy from renewable sources by the year 2020. Sources such as wind and solar.

It would seem to me that, with the cost of fuel today and the fact that it causes pollution and global warming, it is insane to not have us give a push toward a more efficient, self-reliant, and cleaner energy system.

There's a petition out there that is trying to make sure that this provision is not torpedoed by Big Energy types. Your can read it (and hopefully sign it) at http://www.energybill2007.us.

BTW - this legislation and petition also calls for a 35 mpg CAFE standard by 2020 as well.

[jpak]

2. Welcome to DU!

:hi:

[bananas]

3. That website has a lot of good information

oops - the website just crashed!
But before it did, I followed some of the links.
One was to http://www.saveourenvironment.org/
which has on it's front page a nice pdf "The Gardener's Guide to Global Warming" http://www.saveourenvironment.org/Gardeners_Guide.pdf
plus a lot of other good stuff.
Thanks, and welcome to DU!