“We are united in a common goal to protect the environment while keeping and creating jobs, and a more secure energy future,” explained Representative Jenee' Lowe. The introduction of the companion bills, SB 843 and HB 1384 will establish minimum requirements for all retail sellers of electricity to supply a certain amount of their power from renewable energy sources. The percentage requirement would grow from 1% in 2008 to 10% in 2020.
"Legislation like this will slowly but surely help our state and country become less dependent on foreign oil and energy sources," Sen. Graham said. "Increasing the amount of energy that comes from renewable energy sources is critical for our economic and national security." Missouri imports nearly all of the fuel to produce electricity; billions of dollars exit the state annually. A RES would provide the impetus for the development of Missouri’s renewable resources and keep more energy dollars working within the local communities, creating new job opportunities.
“Development of Missouri’s renewable energy resources would diversify the state’s electricity supply, increasing energy security and reliability while protecting consumers from sudden spikes in energy costs,” said Win Colwill, Energy Director, Missouri League of Women Voters.
In other states developers are paying farmers $2,000 to $5,000 per year for wind turbine installation. Each turbine uses less than a half acre, so farmers can plant crops and graze livestock right up to the turbines base. Some farmers have begun forming their own wind power cooperatives. “The passage of this bill could help Missouri farmers add an additional cash crop to their farms,” added Amy Meyer, Communications Director, Missouri Farmers Union. “This would help farmers remain financially stable and help move our state forward.”
“Support for renewable energy in Missouri is enjoying bi-partisan, statewide support. We have 30 co-sponsors and 20 statewide organizations representing rural communities and cities who understand this is the future,” explains Carla Klein, Chapter Director for the Missouri Sierra Club. This new coalition effort is designed to promote a positive future in which economic growth goes hand-in-hand with safeguarding our air, water and land. “We believe through the use of clean energy and energy efficiency technologies we can create new secure manufacturing jobs in Missouri,” added Emil Ramirez, Sub-District Director United Steelworkers, District 11.
Editor's note: We thoroughly support the use of wind turbines. Other forms of "energy production" must be monitored. RES is an unfortunate acronym to use. Renewable Energy Resources (RES) in Carthage, MO, while theoretically using sound science for what its name implies, must not be allowed to operate and affect the health of its neighbors. No matter how fancy you call it, a fat-rendering plant, must not be located within a densely populated area nor should it have access to a watershed. So, we hope this proposed legislation solely deals with wind energy. We see the continuing operation of RES as a way of protecting jobs, too, the jobs of health care workers.
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