US clean energy standard proposed in Senate

Hoping an inclusive, flexible approach will draw support, Sen. Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.) recently introduced the Clean Energy Standard Act of 2012.

The bill will will attempt to push large retail utilities to get their electricity from cleaner - but not necessarily renewable - sources.

Bingaman (D-N.M.), chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, had tried before to mirror state renewable portfolio standards with a federal renewable electricity standard, but his legislation never gained real traction. 



Bingaman launches uphill battle with 'clean' power proposal

Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Chairman Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.) floated highly anticipated legislation Thursday to reduce power plant pollution by mandating greater use of low-carbon energy sources.

The legislation, known as the Clean Energy Standard Act of 2012, faces major hurdles in Congress, but will likely serve as a rallying cry for Democrats and renewable energy groups, which suffered a brutal defeat when climate legislation collapsed in the Senate in 2010.

U.S. Senator Bingaman pushes to renew renewable energy tax credits

Senator Jeff Bingaman (D-NM), Chair of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, is trying to get the renewable energy tax credits renewed as part of the payroll tax cut bill.

He also wants the energy efficiency incentives for homeowners renewed which expired at the end of 2011.

In an editorial on The Hill, Bingaman says:

On Renewable Energy tax credits: