Jeff Bingaman: “I proposed an amendment to the underlying bill which does modify the provisions we had related to this issue of a…”

“I proposed an amendment to the underlying bill which does modify the provisions we had related to this issue of a renewable portfolio standard, and that is the pending first-degree amendment, and essentially that calls for us trying to increase the generation of electricity from renewable energy sources over the next 18 years, between now and the year 2020, up to 10 percent. That is what we have proposed in the amendment I sent to the desk. Senator Jeffords has sent a second-degree amendment to the desk, and he has asked that we change that goal and requirement, and that instead of going to 10 percent of power having to be generated from renewable sources, it should be 20 percent. He has made his statement in support of that, and he has indicated a desire to come back and reiterate those points before we actually cast a vote on his amendment. Then there is also, as I understand it, expected to be an amendment by Senator Kyl from Arizona which will essentially eliminate any kind of a Federal program or requirement to increase the amount of renewable energy that utilities generate. So those are the three main issues before us. Obviously my position, which is I think is clear to all my colleagues, is that the 10-percent goal we have in the bill and in the substitute I have sent to the desk is an appropriate goal. It is something we can achieve. It makes sense.”