United States

The U.S. Business Council for Sustainable Energy (BCSE) is committed to working with the U.S. Congress to pass comprehensive energy and climate legislation during the current session. The Council is focused specifically on advocating for provisions that will drive investments in and the deployment of existing clean energy technologies, including natural gas, wind, solar, geothermal and hydropower, combined heat and power, insulation and fuel cells. In addition to its work with Congress, the BCSE also engages with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of State.

In June 2009, the House of Representatives passed the American Clean Energy and Security Act (ACES). ACES would reduce carbon emissions from major U.S. sources by 17% by 2020 and over 80% by 2050 compared to 2005 levels, require electric utilities to meet 20% of their electricity demand through renewable energy sources and energy efficiency by 2020, and invest more than $90 billion in clean energy technologies by 2025.

The BCSE worked closely with the staff of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce in the development of the legislation in March 2009 and was active in lobbying for various provisions as the bill moved through the Committee mark up process. The BCSE led an extensive business advocacy push in June in support of passage of the legislation, calling specifically for:

• Strengthening the Renewable Electricity and Energy Efficiency Standards – with stronger near-term renewable energy and energy efficiency targets that protect current jobs and create new jobs;
• Allocating allowances to spur private capital flows as well as to ensure consumer benefit through expanding support for energy efficiency and renewable energy, preferably with allowances going directly to renewable generators, consumers and clean energy project investors;
• Expanding offset opportunities by removing discounting of international offsets and providing clarity on international offset eligibility;
• Ensuring flexibility through market-mechanisms and financial instruments to allow businesses to manage risks and protect consumers.

Also in June 2009, the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources reported the American Clean Energy Leadership Act (ACELA). ACELA would require electric utilities to obtain 20% of their electricity from renewable energy resources or from energy efficiency improvements by 2021, create the Clean Energy Deployment Administration (CEDA) within the Department of Energy to help finance clean energy projects, and streamline the improvement of the interstate electrical grid.

The BCSE worked with staff from the Senate Energy Committee to push for an ambitious REES and to ensure that CEDA focused on the deployment of a diverse set of existing technologies.

The Senate Committee on Environment and Public works reported the Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act in November 2009. This bill would, like the American Clean Energy Security Act of 2009, create a nationwide cap-and-trade program coupled with various complementary policies. The Council is again engaged in the legislative process as the bill moves through the Senate.

The Council has also commented on the EPA’s Proposed Endangerment and Cause or Contribute Findings for Greenhouse Gases Under the Clean Air Act (June 23, 2009).