WASHINGTON – U.S. Jeff Bingaman today announced that his proposal to create the first-ever national renewable electricity standard (RES) has taken a major step forward.

Bingaman chairs the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee and has for years pressed for passage of legislation that would require utilities to produce a portion of their electricity through renewable sources.  Bingaman is leading an effort in the Energy Committee to write energy legislation, which now includes his plan for a 15 percent RES. 

Specifically, under Bingaman’s plan, utilities would be required to produce at least 11 percent of their power from wind, solar, biomass and other renewable energies; the remaining 4 percent could be achieved through energy efficiency improvements. 

“I have been fighting for a national RES for years and today we are a step closer to that goal,” Bingaman said.  “New Mexico and 27 other states have a renewable portfolio standard in place, and that has helped diversify our energy mix while shifting us to cleaner, homegrown energy sources.  I believe the country should follow New Mexico’s lead and adopt a national RES.”

Bingaman’s proposal was considered by the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee today as part of a broader energy bill under consideration.  Senator Jeff Sessions (R-AL) offered an amendment to strip the proposal from bill, but that amendment failed 9-13. 

“We are clearly building support in the Senate for an RES, which is very good news.  As we move forward with this bill, I would like to see the RES provision get even stronger,” Bingaman said.  “But this is a very good start.”