US Senate Redemption | Green Energy News

March 17, 2002 – Vol.6 No.51

U.S. SENATE REDEMPTION.

True, the U.S. Senate couldn't muster enough votes to approve increasing the fuel economy of the nation's cars and trucks, nor enough votes to require 20 percent of the nation's electricity to be generated from renewables by 2020. But, the U.S Senate has approved legislation that would require 10 percent non-hydro renewable power generation from investor-owned utilities by that time.

Not as good as hoped for, but not too bad either.

The Senate-approved bill will become part of an energy package hashed out by both houses of Congress to be sent to the President for signing. If he signs it, renewables could expand dramatically in the U.S. over the next 18 years. Right now power generation from renewables in the U.S. accounts for only about 2 percent of the total generated. The increase to 10 percent, even in small increments during the next 18 years as proposed, will mean big business opportunities in an economy as large and energy hungry as the United States.