New Merkley Bill Clears Barriers to Renewable Energy Projects Nationwide

Washington, D.C. - Today, Oregon's U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley-a senior member of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee-released new legislation to oppose discriminatory barriers to renewables enacted by states, counties, and municipalities across the United States.

As the Trump Administration increases electricity prices with ever-intensifying attacks on cheap renewable energy, many states and localities have also enacted barriers to renewables, and more are in the process of doing so. At least 15 percent of U.S. counties have restrictions on renewable energy development, and the restrictions are impacting projects on the ground. Merkley's new legislation, the Renewable Energy Choice Act, would address this challenge by precluding states, counties, and municipalities from enacting unjust and discriminatory limitations on solar, wind, or geothermal energy projects.

"We must fight back against fossil fuel mega-donors and elected officials who do their bidding by using unjust and discriminatory rules to take away energy choice and keep us hooked on expensive fossil fuels," said Merkley. "Cheap renewables are essential to take on the energy affordability crisis crushing families, and my legislation breaks the gridlock at the local level to deliver affordable clean energy to folks across the United States."

Merkley this week led the charge to oppose President Trump's reckless policies undermining energy affordability for families nationwide. He introduced the Restoring Renewable Energy Parity Act, which would repeal Trump's executive orders attacking renewable energy, and the Protecting Americans from High Electricity Prices Act, which would prevent the U.S. Department of Energy from approving liquefied natural gas (LNG) export terminals that raise prices on American households and businesses.

Full text of the Renewable Energy Choice Act can be found by clicking here.

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