Dive Brief:

• Sen. Tom Udall (D-NM) and six other Democratic lawmakers have introduced legislation to create a national renewable energy standard requiring utilities to generate 30% of their energy from renewable sources by 2030.
• It is not a new idea, The Hill points out: Udall has proposed the legislation in every session of Congress since 2008.
• Udall said the standard would slow utility rate increases for customers and spur investment in the renewable economy, helping to create jobs.

Dive Insight:

Backed by several renewable energy advocates and joined by a half dozen co-sponsors, Udall has again introduced a proposal to set a national renewable energy standard. The Hill notes that the legislation is based on a bipartisan measure which passed the House in 2007, and the senator from New Mexico has introduced it into every Congressional session since then.

"A national Renewable Electricity Standard will help slow utility rate increases and boost private investment in states like New Mexico — all while combating climate change," Udall said in a statement. "Investing in homegrown clean energy jobs just makes sense, and that's why I'm continuing my fight for a national RES."

Udall noted that more than half the states have renewable policies, "and its time to go all in." He was joined by several other lawmakers introducing the bill, including: Edward Markey (D-MA), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI).

The bill targets 30% renewable power by 2030, but would set an 8% requirement by 2016, followed by "gradual and achievable" increases, Udall said in a statement, specifically noting that the measure would not preempt any stronger standards already in place by states.

"Becoming a nation that relies more on clean sources of energy is a common sense approach to slowing the devastating effects of climate change and critical if we want to create a healthier environment for future generations," Heinrich said.

The bill's supporters believe it would increase renewable energy generation 265% over current levels by 2030, as well as saving consumers $25.1 billion in cumulative electricity and natural gas bills from 2015 to 2030. It could also drive almost $300 billion in new capital investment, or $106 billion more under a base scenario.

"Our analysis shows a 30% by 2030 national RES is achievable and would provide substantial consumer, economic, and climate benefits," said Jeff Deyette, senior energy analyst for the Union of Concerned Scientists. "The Udall/Markey proposal builds on the success of existing state policies to accelerate the innovation and investments needed for the U.S. to transition to a clean energy economy."