Lacking national standards, gains from alternative energy elude us

Energy prices and conflict in the Middle East, combined with growing concern global warming, have jumpstarted an overdue national conversation about United States energy policy. The public is clamoring for solutions and, in this generation, support has never been deeper for increasing the amount of power we get from renewable energy.

The United States is the most technologically and economically advanced nation in the world, blessed with vast natural and intellectual resources and a skilled workforce – Maine fits this ideal. Our nation has a record of responding to challenges and achieving unthinkable goals. If any nation in the world is capable of creating an energy system to fuel our economy, while preserving our environment and our security, it is America.

But, right now, America is failing to realize its almost unlimited potential to generate electricity from sources like wind and solar energy. Just last year, Maine set a goal of increasing its clean energy production 10 percent by 2017, above the renewable power it already generates.

Now is time for the country to move together on a new energy future.

The United States has historically been a leader in deployment of renewable energy technologies. As recently as the mid-1990s, the United States led the world in solar power capacity, and was second in wind. Unfortunately, this is no longer the case. By 2004, Japan had three times the American photovoltaic capacity; Germany had more than double. The United States is now third in installed wind power capacity, behind Germany and Spain.

Germany employs more than 40,000 workers in its wind energy industry, and Denmark another 20,000. Both countries have wind resources only a fraction of those in America’s windiest states.

In Germany, the wind energy industry is the second-largest consumer of steel next to the automotive industry.

Fortunately, an expanding number of communities are pressing the nation toward cleaner, renewable energy. State and local officials are increasingly seeing the economic development benefits of renewable energy in Maine, and elswhere in the country. Farmers, foresters and ranchers recognize the benefits renewable energy provides for agricultural interests and rural economies.

And, workers and businesses are beginning to understand renewable energy technologies have the potential to create high quality jobs to drive our nation into the 21st century.

Already 22 states – from Texas in the South, to Minnesota in the North, to Maine in the Northeast, Arizona in the Southwest and Washington State in the Northwest – have passed renewable energy standards, committing nearly half of our country’s population to renewable energy targets as high as 25 percent by 2020.

By creating guaranteed markets for renewable energy, these policies have helped jumpstart new statewide energy economies. Evidence of the economic benefits is already apparent.

For example, Pennsylvania’s clean energy standard has spurred investment by Gamesa, a large Spanish wind turbine manufacturer, into four plants outside Philadelphia to assemble wind energy equipment for use in the United States. One thousand Americans will return to work at a former U.S. Steel mill outside of Fairless, Pa. This is one of many examples of the investment boom in clean energy jobs spreading across the country.

Developing our renewable energy resources will create jobs, save consumers money and bolster rural economies. A 2004 study by the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) found a national standard requiring 20 percent of electric generation from renewable energy by 2020 would save consumers tens of billions annually in electricity and natural gas bills, and create several hundred thousand new jobs.

In addition, by shifting away from fossil fuels, the United States can diversify and secure its energy supply while reducing global warming. A recent analysis based on assumptions by the Energy Information Administration indicates the same national standard would cut global warming pollution by 263 million metric tons by 2030 – the equivalent of taking 43 million cars off the road.

Building on the states’ momentum, it is time for Congress to act on a renewable energy standard.

Rep. Tom Udall, D-N.M., and Todd Platts, R-Pa., have introduced a national standard of 20 percent renewable energy by 2020.

We congratulate Maine’s Rep. Tom Allen and Rep. Mike Michaud for co-sponsoring this legislation to help build a cleaner and more secure economy for America, while reducing global warming and again making the United States the world’s clean-energy leader.

Matthew Davis is organizational development director for Environment Maine. Bruce Roy of Jay is president of the Maine Labor Council of the United Steelworkers.