James M. Jeffords: “A 20-percent renewable energy standard by 2020 is affordable. The Department of Energy's information administration…”

“A 20-percent renewable energy standard by 2020 is affordable. The Department of Energy's information administration found a 20-percent renewable energy standard by 2020 would result in only modest increases in consumer electricity bills of up to 4 percent as compared to prices if no renewable energy standard were imposed. Polls have indicated Americans are willing to accept such moderate price increases in exchange for the benefits derived from the greater renewable energy production. These same EIA studies showed that while households will experience modest increases in electric bills, a 20-percent renewable energy standard will actually reduce overall energy costs, which include the costs attributable to home heating and commercial and industrial energy consumption by approximately 0.1 percent by the year 2020. With these very modest costs, the provisions in my amendment will increase renewable energy production by a total of roughly 2 million megawatts. Higher numbers are distinctly possible. In the Sacramento Municipal Utility District, for example, if every new home built in California subdivisions each year had photovoltaic energy roofs similar to the ones shown in this chart, they would produce the equivalent of a major 400- to 500-megawatt powerplant every year. This amendment is the right thing to do.”