Questions & Answers

Why was this Alliance formed?
It is clear from the election results this past November and numerous polls that Americans across the political spectrum put renewable energy deployment near the top of their list of policy priorities. This new Alliance of businesses and organizations was formed to advocate for a long-term commitment to renewable energy in America through a strong national Renewable Electricity Standard (RES).

What are the main goals of the Alliance?
The RES Alliance for Jobs is a coalition of businesses and organizations that support Congressional enactment of a strong federal RES. The Alliance seeks to demonstrate that a strong RES would create sustainable growth in the renewable energy industries, enabling manufacturers to invest billions of dollars in the U.S. economy and create hundreds of thousands of high-quality American jobs that cannot be outsourced.

What can this Alliance achieve that other trade associations and interest groups, for the renewable energy industry, in Washington D.C. cannot?
The diverse renewable energy technology membership of The Alliance will enable the businesses and organizations of various industries to come together and present a united front in supporting the value of a strong national RES to the health of the American economy, environment and national security.

What are the most pressing issues for the Alliance?
A strong national RES is the most pressing issue for the Alliance. While we’re pleased to see movement on a national RES, our membership is extremely concerned that the significantly lower renewable targets currently being discussed in Congress will severely undermine our ability to create a clean, green economy through the expansion of renewable energy production in America.

What type of Renewable Electricity Standard does the Alliance recommend?
The Alliance seeks a strong national RES. On the campaign trail, President Obama advocated on multiple occasions for a national 25% renewable electricity by 2025 standard. In the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Representative Ed Markey and Representative Henry Waxman originally proposed this same standard. Following debate and full committee mark up, the proposed RES in both the House and Senate has been watered down.

What is the benefit of being a member of the Alliance?
As a part of the Alliance members can coordinate their messages on the benefits of the RES to their specific business partners, and meet with policymakers and the members of the press to deliver a unified message. By joining the Alliance their individual voice of support can be amplified to reach a broader and larger audience and deliver measurable results in realizing a stronger RES.

Are you actively seeking more members?
The Alliance is welcoming of new members committed to enacting a strong national RES.

The RES debate has been going on for some time. Do you think the Alliance is a bit late with respect to timing?
No. All of us have long supported a national RES, however, we are now at a crucial time in the RES debate, with energy legislation pending before the full Senate and House of Representatives. This is the time when all federal policymakers need to be reminded about the benefits of a strong national RES and all renewable energy providers need to lock arms in support.

What is the economic impact in terms of jobs and investment for the various levels of RES in the proposed legislation? A strong national RES means creating billions of dollars in economic investment and hundreds of thousands of new American jobs. For example, a March 2009 study by the Union of Concerned Scientists shows that a 25% by 2025 RES would create almost 300,000 American jobs in manufacturing, construction, operations, maintenance, agriculture, forestry, and many other industries by 2025. In addition, UCS found that a 25% by 2025 national RES would boost the American economy through $263.4 billion in new capital investment for renewable energy technologies, $13.5 billion in new income for farmers, ranchers, and rural landowners who produce biomass energy and/or lease their land to wind developers, and $11.5 billion in new property tax revenue for local communities.

The RES will send a global signal to manufacturers looking to invest in America that we are committed to renewable energy, justifying a long term investment in innovation, manufacturing, research and development and job training to repower America.