Climate Bill Bears Scrutiny

"Lawmakers in Congress are leaving a gaping hole in their discussions of climate legislation: the voluntary market for renewable energy.

This is no small omission.

The volume of wind, solar and biomass power voluntarily purchased by big corporations, organizations and individuals is nearly neck-and-neck with the volume of renewable energy purchased to meet mandatory state targets, according to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.

As the American Clean Energy and Security (ACES) bill is currently written, however, these voluntary purchases of renewable power would ironically end up giving polluters more license to pollute, removing any incentive for an individual or corporation to voluntarily pay for renewable power. "

Abby Schultz reports for SolveClimate June 5, 2009.


See Also:

"Experts Plumb Cap-and-Trade Bill in Search of Bottom Line" (Greenwire/New York Times)

Editorial: "Buried Code" (Washington Post)

"Key Points of the Climate-Energy Bill Before Congress" (Christian Science Monitor)

In Montana, "Cap and Trade" Means Wait and See (Great Falls Tribune)

"House Sponsors Discuss the Finer Points of Climate Bill With Colleagues (ClimateWire/New York Times)