Policy Makers

No region in the United States has more at stake in policy actions on climate and energy than the Midwest. The Midwest has a strong industrial base, large potential for the development of renewable energy, and an economy that stands to gain substantially from the transition to a clean energy economy.  The following policy goals aim to achieve this economic growth for the Midwest, while doing our part to avoid the catastrophic effects of climate change.

RE-AMP Energy Efficiency policy goals:

• Achieve the statewide energy efficiency standards  of 2% annually by adopting policies that require utilities to reduce use by at least 2% annually for electricity, and at least 1.5% annually for natural gas.
• Keep state residential energy and commercial energy building codes current with the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC)  and ASHRAE 90.1 2007 edition and subsequent upgrades.
   

RE-AMP Renewable Energy policy goals:

• Renewable Energy Standards: Utilities should be required to generate at least 30% of their electricity from clean, renewable resources by 2030.
• Address electricity transmission issues including inter-jurisdictional siting and cost and revenue allocation that are threatening to hinder renewable energy development in the Midwest.
• Establish collaborative mechanisms that encourage other technology innovation projects that put the Midwest in the forefront of clean energy development, including innovations to store wind and solar energy, develop advanced bioenergy systems, and sequester carbon.

RE-AMP Coal generation policy goals:

• Build no new coal plants in the RE-AMP region
• Replace existing fleet of coal plants with carbon-neutral generation technologies

RE-AMP Transportation policy goals:

• Establish state, regional, and national Low Carbon Fuel Standards that are tailored to Midwest political, economic, and geographic conditions.
• Move aggressively to improve transportation efficiency -- provide ways for residents and businesses to meet their needs while reducing costly vehicle-miles driven -- by enabling and promoting pay-as-you-drive insurance; building transit, and bike and pedestrian infrastructure, and intercity passenger rail; improving freight rail corridors; and fostering well-designed, compact development.
• Increase vehicle efficiency.
  

RE-AMP long term global warming emissions reduction policy goals:

• Reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the electricity sector in the RE-AMP region by 80% by 2030.
• Develop and Establish an effective regional cap and reduction program for all major GHG sources.

Midwestern leadership is essential to achieving these goals. Many RE-AMP members were involved in the multi-stakeholder process for the development of clean energy policy recommendations from the Midwestern Governor’s Association. For more materials and resources on the MGA, click [here].

For a copy of our letter to Midwestern Governors urging them to adopt the recommendations, click [here].

For a copy of our letter urging U.S. Senators to use the MGA recommendations as a model for federal policy, click [here].