For Immediate Release: November 14, 2007
For More Information:
Matt Auten, Environment RI, 401-421-6535
Liz Hitchcock, Environment America, 202-683-1250
New Report Gives Rhode Island One of Seven Gold Stars for Leadership on Clean Energy
Group Calls On Congress to Follow the Lead of States and Pass Clean Energy Legislation by End of the Year
Providence, RI—Rhode Island has earned one of seven gold
stars for its leadership to promote renewable energy, improve energy
efficiency and require more clean and efficient cars be sold, in a new
report analyzing state clean energy policies released today by the
Environment Rhode Island Research & Policy Center.
The Environment America report, “America’s Clean Energy Stars:
State Actions Leading America to a New Energy Future” praised Rhode
Island for adopting bold policies to promote clean energy that can
provide a model for the entire nation. In releasing the report,
Environment Rhode Island called on Congress to follow the lead of
states by passing a strong energy bill that increases renewable energy,
fuel economy and energy conservation.
“Rhode Island is rising to our nation’s energy challenge by
taking action to promote renewable energy, reduce energy consumption
and put cleaner cars on the road,” said Matt Auten, Advocate for
Environment Rhode Island. “But while Rhode Island has been making
progress towards a clean energy future, our leaders in Washington have
been dragging their feet. We need Congress to change course and they
should start this year by passing a strong energy bill this year that
saves energy, saves oil and matches the clean energy leadership of
states like Rhode Island”.
In developing the report, Environment America researchers
looked at five cutting-edge clean energy policies adopted by state
governments: renewable electricity standards, the Clean Cars Program,
utility energy efficiency programs, energy efficiency standards for
appliances, and building energy codes.
A number of states-- including Rhode Island-- were spotlighted
for special recognition in the report. Rhode Island was one of seven
states highlighted as “gold star” clean energy states for adopting
strong policies in at least four policy areas. The other gold star
states were California, Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, and
Washington.
“The energy challenge facing America demands bold action at
every level and Rhode Island has become a leader thanks to Gov.
Carcieri, Lt. Gov. Roberts, Attorney General Lynch, and the General
Assembly working together in concert,” Auten continued. “While we still
need to do more in Rhode Island, we cannot do it alone. We are counting
on Congress to join us as we work together to achieve the promise of a
new energy future for America.”
States like Rhode Island that have adopted these five clean
energy policies are making a significant difference in addressing
America’s energy challenges.
• Renewable electricity standards already adopted by 25 states
and the district of Columbia would reduce global warming pollution by
about 2 percent of current levels, the equivalent of taking more than
21 million cars off the road and would generate enough power to meet
more than 5 percent of America’s current power needs.
• The Clean Cars Program adopted by 12 states would reduce
global warming emissions from cars and light trucks by approximately 74
million metric tons per year by 2020 – a little over 1 percent of U.S.
emissions in 2006 and the equivalent of taking 13.6 million cars off
the road and would reduce gasoline consumption by as much as Florida
uses in a year.
• Energy efficiency programs and standards. If every state were
to achieve the energy savings already achieved by the most effective
state programs, the United States could reduce electricity consumption
by about 8 percent compared to business-as-usual levels in 2020, and
avoid as much global warming pollution as taking nearly 49 million cars
off the road, approximately 4 percent of current U.S. emissions.
• Appliance efficiency standards adopted by 12 states since
2002 led to the federal government adopting some of these standards.
The state standards combined with the federal standards leveraged by
the state action, will reduce U.S. carbon dioxide emissions by about 1
percent of current levels, the equivalent of taking nearly 12 million
cars off the road. And, they will save enough energy to meet about 2
percent of U.S. electricity consumption in 2005 or enough to power 7.4
million American homes.
• Building energy codes. Updated residential building codes
have adopted in 14 states and the latest commercial codes have been
adopted in 17 states. If every state adopted and enforced the most
recent codes, America could reduce emissions by nearly 1%, the
equivalent of taking 9 million cars off the road and could avoid the
need for 32 new 400 MW power plants.
A copy of the report is available online at www.environmentrhodeisland.org
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