The RPS Event was held at a critical time for the renewable energy sector. With carbon emissions at record highs, and the urgent need to address the impacts of climate change, policymakers are now more focused than ever on achieving national renewable energy goals. The event provided an opportunity for attendees to share ideas and insights on how to accelerate the deployment of renewable energy across the country.
One of the main topics of discussion at the event was the role of Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS) in achieving national renewable energy goals. RPS is a policy mechanism that requires utilities to generate a certain percentage of their electricity from renewable sources. Many states already have RPS policies in place, ranging from 10% to 100% renewable energy by a specified year. However, there is currently no federal RPS in place, and this has been a significant barrier to achieving national renewable energy targets.
Several policymakers spoke at the event, highlighting the need for a federal RPS. Congressman Paul Tonko, Chairman of the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Environment and Climate Change, emphasized the urgency of taking action on climate change, stating that “Taking bold steps to transition our energy system is a moral imperative.” He also expressed support for a federal mandate to transition the country to 100% clean energy by 2050.
Other policymakers at the event focused on the economic benefits of renewable energy. Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick emphasized that “Investing in renewable energy is not only the right thing to do for the environment, but it’s also good for our economy.” He noted that renewable energy jobs are growing at a faster rate than other sectors, and that the cost of renewable energy is now competitive with traditional fossil fuel sources.
Industry leaders also spoke at the event, highlighting the advancements in renewable energy technology and the need for continued investment in clean energy. The CEO of the American Wind Energy Association, Tom Kiernan, emphasised that “Renewable energy is now mainstream and is providing affordable, reliable power to millions of Americans.” He also noted that with continued investments in renewable energy, we can achieve a 100% clean energy future.
The event concluded with a call to action for policymakers to prioritize clean energy policies, including a federal RPS. With the urgent need to address climate change and the significant economic benefits of renewable energy, it is clear that we must accelerate our transition to clean energy. When it comes to national renewable energy goals, everyone at the event agreed that the time for action is now.[ad_2]