Another Surprise For The American Consumer

The American Thinker is reporting today on a looming energy tax proposed in Congress.  Since Cap and Trade seems to be dead, Senator Bingaman (D-NM), along with 32 cosponsors, has introduced legislation that would create a 15 percent renewable energy standard (RES).

The article reports:

"First, electric utilities would be mandated to generate at least 11 percent of their electricity from renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power.  Secondly, four percent of this 15 percent requirement could be met by electric utilities achieving savings from energy efficiency measures."  

Obviously, this would result in increased costs to electric companies.  Those costs would be passed on to the consumer (a hidden energy tax). 

The article also points out that renewable electricity sources will not really reduce our dependence on foreign oil.  In 2008, electricity generation accounted for only about 1 percent of all petroleum consumption in the United States.

The article further points out:

"Proponents of this energy tax also are disregarding state rights, similar to what happened with the health care bill.  Many states already have renewable energy mandates and those that don't have a mandate recognize that they don't have the same types of renewable energy resources as other states.  A one-size-fits all approach ignores the unique resources and needs of individual states."