Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., and Sen. Tim Johnson, D-S.D., have introduced the Securing America's Future with Energy and Sustainable Technologies Act (SAFEST), which establishes renewable energy and energy efficiency standards, as well as incentives for developing biofuels and biofuel infrastructure, and targets for the availability of advanced vehicle technologies.
Among other measures, the Klobuchar-Johnson legislation would establish a renewable electricity standard (RES) of 25% renewable energy by 2025. It would also include an energy-efficiency resource standard of 1% per year.
Recent studies indicate that the RES in the bill could create more than a 275,000 new jobs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 20% in 2020, according to Klobuchar's office.
Proponents believe the SAFEST Act may be combined with legislation expected to be introduced later this week by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D.-Nev. Supporters of the legislation hope that the Senate can pass a bill before the August recess, and that it can be reconciled with House-passed legislation in September.
SOURCE: Office Of Sen. Amy Klobuchar
