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119th CONGRESS
1st Session |
Recognizing the ability of solar, storage, and wind to quickly and cheaply meet United States power demand growth.
Mr. Whitehouse (for himself, Mr. Merkley, Mr. Schatz, Mr. Markey, Mr. Van Hollen, Ms. Duckworth, Ms. Smith, Mr. Padilla, Mr. Welch, and Ms. Blunt Rochester) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources
Recognizing the ability of solar, storage, and wind to quickly and cheaply meet United States power demand growth.
Whereas, as of 2025, United States power demand growth is higher than at any point in the previous 2 decades;
Whereas, over the next 10 years after the date of enactment of this resolution, nearly every region of the United States faces potential power capacity shortfalls;
Whereas, as of 2025, solar and wind are the most cost-effective forms of new power generation on an unsubsidized basis and electricity storage (battery) costs are sharply declining;
Whereas, in 2024, solar, storage, and wind made up 93 percent of new power capacity installations in the United States;
Whereas, as of 2025, solar, storage, and wind make up 95 percent of power capacity awaiting grid interconnection in the United States;
Whereas, in 2024, solar and wind produced more electricity than coal;
Whereas, in 2025, costs of new natural gas construction reached 10-year highs;
Whereas, as of 2025, wait times for turbines for new natural gas-fired power plants are as long as 7 years; and
Whereas forcing large fossil fuel plants that are scheduled to retire in 2026, 2027, and 2028 to keep running could increase costs to ratepayers by over $3,000,000,000 per year: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate recognizes that accelerating solar, storage, and wind deployment is essential to meet rising power demand, and that the United States should increase production of renewable energy.