From the Governors’ Wind & Solar Energy Coalition:
Among other things, the governors recommend grid modernization and transmission development. The image is from the Coalition website.
A group of governors from across the United States and from both sides of the political divide have written an open letter to U.S. President Donald Trump calling on him to support the development of wind and solar energy.
The open letter came from the Governors’ Wind & Solar Energy Coalition, a bipartisan group of the country’s governors, currently representing twenty states. Specifically, the letter was written by the governors of Rhode Island and Kansas, on behalf of the Coalition.
“The Coalition’s twenty member-states are home to hundreds of wind and solar-energy facilities that employ hundreds of thousands of Americans and contribute significantly to each state’s economy, and the nation’s at large,” the letter explains, as the authors explained the current role of renewable energy in the electricity mix, as well as the role it is playing for jobs and the economy. Referencing the recently published National Solar Job Census, the Coalition explained that “the country’s solar industry employed over 200,000 and added 31,000 new jobs.”
“Members of the Coalition have seen the benefits of renewable energy firsthand, and agree that expanding renewable energy production is one of the best ways to meet the country’s growing demand for energy,” they write.
“Today’s wind and solar resources offer consumers nearly unlimited electric energy with no fuel costs, no national security impacts, and a number of environmental benefits. The boons of renewable energy can be virtually endless with your Administration’s and Congress’ support of the key initiatives detailed here. Your support of these initiatives will allow our nation to capitalize on renewable resources, meet the needs of Americans and bolster the economy.”
The letter then outlines and details several “key initiatives” the Governors’ Coalition urge President Trump to support:
- Grid modernization and Transmission Development
- Adopt Comprehensive Long-term Offshore Wind Development Legislation
- Increase Wind and Solar Research and Development Appropriations
- Streamline and Improve Collaboration for Permitting Solar and Wind Energy Projects
The full four-page letter is here: https://goo.gl/A1V8uC
Filed Under: News, Policy
