Legislative Activity Around a National Renewable Electricity Standard

 



Activity in Congress is increasing around a national Renewable Electricity Standard, with four bills introduced so far.  You can find links to bills, analysis and committee hearings here.

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

A short FAQ on the RES.

 

Pending Legislation


A number of renewable electricity standard bills have been introduced, or are still in the drafting stage.  For the latest versions of these bills, search for them at the Library of Congress' "Thomas" page.

 

Securing America’s Future with Energy and Sustainable Technologies Act (SAFEST)
Introduced by Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tim Johnson on July 14, 2010
More information: bill text, fact sheet

 

Program for Offshore Wind Energy Research and Development Act of 2010
Introduced by Senator Sherrod Brown on April 20, 2010
For more information, click here.

 

The American Clean Energy Leadership Act
Introduced by Senator Bingaman on July 16, 2009
For more information, click here.

 

American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009
Introduced by Representatives Waxman and Markey
Passed by House of Representatives on June 26, 2009

 

S. 826: American Renewable Energy Act of 2009
Introduced by Senator Amy Klobuchar on April 3, 2009

 

S. 433
Introduced by Senators Mark Udall and Tom Udall on February 12, 2009

 

 

Legislative Analysis



Congressional Research Service


Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard (RPS)
Fred Sissine, Resources, Science, and Industry Division
December 5, 2007

Renewable Energy: Background and Issues for the 110th Congress
Fred Sissine, Specialist in Energy Policy
December 10, 2008

 

National Renewable Energy Lab

Federal RPS Bill Comparison, Lori Bird, NREL

 

Clean Energy Group

Comparison of Senate and House Federal RPS Bills on Major Areas of State-Federal Interaction (based on draft Bingaman and Markey bills) (pdf) Feb. 12, 2009.

 

Hearings and Testimony

 

Senate Environment and Public Works hearing, October 27, 2009:
"Legislative Hearing on S. 1733, Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act."
Included testimony by Jon Wellinghoff (pdf, 28 KB), Chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, discussing the implementation of a federal Renewable Portfolio Standard.
Wellinghoff said a 25% RPS by 2025 is "very achievable."

 

Senate Energy and Natural Resources hearing, February 10, 2009


House Subcommittee on Energy and Environment hearing, February 26, 2009