U.S. Senate Says No to "Clean Coal" & Nuclear
- From: xnichols@xxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Mon, 18 Jun 2007 00:14:15 -0700
U.S. Senate Says No to "Clean Coal" & Nuclear in RPS
by Sara Parker, Staff Writer
Washington, DC [RenewableEnergyAccess.com]
National Renewable Energy Portfolio (RPS) legislation introduced by
Senator Pete Domenici (R-NM), which included clean coal technology and
nuclear power alongside traditional sources of renewable energy, was
voted down in the U.S. Senate this afternoon 56-29.
Domenici, ranking member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources
Committee, introduced an amendment yesterday to establish a National
Clean Portfolio Standard (CPS) as an alternative to a proposal
introduced by Senator Jeff Bingaman (D-NM). Bingaman's amendment calls
for a National Renewable Portfolio (RPS) requiring 15 percent of
electricity generated in the U.S. to come from renewables by 2020.
The legislation proposed by Domenici, which was co-authored by Senator
Larry Craig (R-Idaho), expanded the standard to 20 percent as well as
included clean coal technology and nuclear power-and argued it would
bring more states into the clean energy fold.
"If we insist on forcing electricity generators to reach specific
targets on the use of clean energy sources, then let's make sure we
allow all clean sources to be considered," said Domenici yesterday
addressing the U.S. Senate.
"The costs associated with a [Bingaman's] RPS would be prohibitive-
over $175 billion for our nation, according to one estimate. States
that lack the natural resources to meet the mandate-primarily wind
energy, which many states don't have-would beat the brunt of the
costs. Regardless of whether some states would see savings from RPS,
costs would still go up for consumers in states that don't meet the
standard. For that reason, the RPS proposal is unfair and
unaffordable," Domenici continued.
But with only 15 or 20 percent designated for traditional renewables
such as solar, wind, biomass, geothermal and tidal, industry experts
noted that adding clean coal technologies and nuclear power into the
mix would only weaken a National RPS. In addition, nuclear power
requires huge subsidies and clean coal technologies are at least 10
years away from being commercial, said Jim Rubens of the Union of
Concerned Scientists in an interview with RenewableEnergyAccess.com
this week.
"There is no reason to dilute the bill," said Rubens. "[Renewables]
are ready for market now. They're cost competitive now and they don't
require continuing operating and construction subsidies."
http://www.renewableenergyaccess.com/rea/news/story?id=48960
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