Policy Resolution ETE-15-28

WHEREAS, fuel and technology diversity historically have been key strengths of the electricity generation sector serving the United States, helping to ensure price stability, system reliability, technical innovation, effective resource planning and integration, environmental protection, job creation, and strong economic growth;

WHEREAS, the National Black Caucus of State Legislators’ (NBCSL) stated energy policy has emphasized the importance of pursuing energy conservation as a valuable part of the nation’s energy portfolio as it promotes energy independence (ETE-11-02 and ETE-09-23), mitigating climate change (ETE-10-07 and ETE-10-09), and supporting job creation in the “green” economy (LMV-08-11);

WHEREAS, advances have been made in recent years that help to make traditional fossil fuels cleaner, and the use of renewable forms of energy have expanded;

WHEREAS, according to the American Wind Energy Association, wind energy capacity has more than doubled since 2008;

WHEREAS, according to the Solar Energy Industries Association, newly installed solar panels produced 109 percent more electricity nationwide in 2011 than in 2010, as the price of these panels plummeted by more than 50 percent;

WHEREAS, implementing an effective diverse energy policy and directing new energy infrastructure investment requires properly internalizing the value of fuel diversity; and

WHEREAS, market flaws distort wholesale power prices downward resulting in uneconomic retirement and replacement of existing cost-effective generation resources.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the members of the National Black Caucus of State Legislators (NBCSL) recognize the importance and value of fuel and technology diversity in the U.S. electricity generation portfolio and urge federal, state, and local officials to work with the electric sector to encourage portfolio diversity, while also attempting to reduce any negative environmental impacts that the industry may cause;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that NBCSL applauds the actions taken by President Barack Obama and his Administration to increase diversification of the U.S. energy portfolio and encourage the development of renewable sources of energy; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States, the Vice President of the United States, members of the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate, and other federal and state government officials as appropriate.

• SPONSORS: Representative Calvin Smyre (GA) and Representative Billy Mitchell (GA)
• Committee of Jurisdiction: Energy, Transportation, and Environment Policy Committee
• Certified by Committee Chair: Representative Billy Mitchell (GA)
• Ratified in Plenary Session: Ratification Date is December 12, 2014
• Ratification is certified by: Representative Joe Armstrong (TN), President