Renewable-mandate backers upbeat about vote

[jpak]

http://thehill.com/business--lobby/renewable-mandate-backers-upbeat-about-vote-2007-08-01.html

Backers of a federal mandate for renewable energy production say they are closing in on a majority for an expected Friday vote.

“My sense is we have a lot of momentum in the House,” said Gregory Wetstone, senior director for government and public affairs at the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA).

Wind-energy producers stand to be a big beneficiary of a renewable mandate because wind power, along with solar energy, is more cost-competitive with traditional fossil fuel sources than are other renewable power sources.

A victory in the House would revive the renewable portfolio bill, which failed to win sufficient support in the Senate to be part of its broader energy legislation.

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