Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley.
A bill introduced in the Senate aims to “transition away from fossil fuel sources of energy to 100% clean and renewable energy by 2050.” The bill was introduced by Senators Jeff Merkley, D-OR; Bernie Sanders, I-VT; Edward J. Markey, D-MA and Cory Booker, D-NJ.
On the solar side, the bill aims to make solar energy affordable and accessible to underserved communities through community solar facilities. To ensure equal access to the facilities, the bill “reserves not less than 25% of the quantity of electricity generated by the facility for households in low-income communities and disadvantaged communities that are subscribers to the facility.”
The bill also plans to expand solar access by establishing a loan and grant program for community solar and multi-family affordable housing solar installations.
Other goals of the bill include enhancing grid reliability, ending new fossil fuel investments, fairly transitioning fossil fuel workers to retirement or new work and more.
In a press release, Senator Markey talks about the urgency of the bill: “America is home to innovative entrepreneurs and scientists who have tackled many challenges in our nation’s history—from harnessing electricity, to putting a man on the moon, to curing disease,” said Merkley. “The power to end the use of fossil fuels and completely transition to clean and renewable energy is within our hands, but just as with the moon landing, we need a roadmap, a goal, and a passionate, shared national commitment to get us there. If an asteroid were hurtling its way through space towards our planet, we would do everything in our power to stop that asteroid. Our commitment to fighting climate change should be no less. Starting at a local, grassroots level and working toward the bold and comprehensive national vision laid out in this legislation, now is the time to commit to 100% by 2050.”