According to the Senators, transition to clean and renewable energy will help combat climate change and support continued job creation.
U.S. Senators Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and Jeff Merkley (D-Oreg.) introduced a Senate resolution calling for generating 100% of the electricity consumed in the United States from clean and renewable energy resources by 2050.
The resolution points to the enormous job creation potential of transitioning to renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, and geothermal — particularly in communities with high rates of unemployment or underemployment.
“As a technological giant, the United States must continue to lead the clean energy revolution,” said Senator Markey. “The question is no longer if we can power our country with 100% renewable energy, it’s when and how we will make the transition.”
He added: “Moving to 100% clean energy will power job creation that is good for all creation. We can and will meet this goal and now, more than ever, it is critical that we stand up and fight for our clean energy future. I thank Senator Merkley for his partnership introducing this resolution that sets out the bold goal of generating 100 percent renewable energy by the year 2050.”
There are currently 310,000 individuals in the U.S. employed in the solar industry and 88,000 in the wind industry. The country is projected to add more electric generating capacity from solar and wind than from any other source in 2016. More than half of all new electricity capacity added in the world in 2015 was renewable
“[This] resolution sends a message loud and clear to our Senate colleagues: It’s time to get serious about our climate efforts with big, bold and rapid moves to accelerate the clean energy economy,” said Senator Merkley. “Transitioning to clean and renewable energy is not only the right thing to do for clean air and a strong economy, it is what we must do to save our beautiful blue-green planet.”
A copy of the resolution can be found here.
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