James M. Jeffords: “I will be voting against the amendment offered by Senator Craig. I do so not because I feel good about the existing…”

“I will be voting against the amendment offered by Senator Craig. I do so not because I feel good about the existing provisions in the electricity title of this bill, but because I believe they are a starting point from which we ought to try to move forward. It is no secret that I am a strong supporter of renewable energy and a meaningful renewable energy production requirement. I admit to disappointment in the provision currently contained in this legislation. While it nominally contains a 10 percent renewable requirement, the various exemptions and carve-outs bring it down effectively to a roughly five percent requirement by the year 2020. This level of Federal commitment to renewable energy is painfully inadequate and I must express my concern and disappointment at this low number. I will also point out that, despite the assertions of my colleague from Alaska earlier today, a 10 percent requirement by the year 2020 would not raise consumer energy costs. According to the Department of Energy, a 10 percent Federal renewable portfolio standard would reduce overall consumer energy costs by $3 billion per year by the year 2020.”