America’s largest energy buyers ask federal government to implement zero-carbon energy policies

America’s largest energy customers are calling on the federal government to implement strong and specific national policies to accelerate the transition to a zero-carbon power sector and expand access to clean energy for customers.

“Clean energy presents an unprecedented opportunity to recover after the triple whammy of 2020: pandemic-induced recession, climate calamities, and racial reckoning,” said Miranda Ballentine, CEO of the Renewable Energy Buyers Alliance (REBA), a member-based organization that represents and advocates on behalf of many of America’s largest energy buyers. “Policies like those outlined today can revitalize the economy, grow high-wage jobs and create the electricity system of the future. As the newly inaugurated Biden Administration looks to take immediate steps to rebuild the economy and tackle the climate crisis, these iconic businesses stand ready to work together to make a zero-carbon power vision a reality.”

The Energy Buyer Federal Clean Energy Policy statement, organized by REBA, emphasizes the need for ambitious national policies that modernize the power grid and ensure it is resilient, affordable, customer-focused and most importantly, carbon-free. The statement’s signatories include:

• Adobe
• Amazon
• American Honda Motor Co., Inc.
• Ardagh Group
• Atlassian
• Cargill
• Danone North America
• DSM North America
• Equinix, Inc.
• Facebook
• General Motors
• Google
• H&M
• Johnson & Johnson
• LafargeHolcim
• McDonald’s Corporation
• Micron Technology, Inc.
• Microsoft
• Nestlé
• Novozymes
• PepsiCo
• QTS Data Centers
• Ralph Lauren Corporation
• Renewable Energy Buyers Alliance
• Sabey Data Centers
• Saint-Gobain North America
• Salesforce
• Target
• The Clorox Company
• The Walt Disney Company
• Unilever, United States
• VMware
• Walmart Inc.
• WeWork
• Workday
• Yum! Brands, Inc.

These companies represent more than $5.8 trillion in revenue and 13.5+ million employees from across diverse sectors of the U.S. economy. American businesses have signed nearly 30 GW of new, large-scale renewable energy contracts since 2014. In 2019, announced deals totaling 9.4 GW were the equivalent of 80% of total renewable energy capacity installed in the U.S., with soon-to-be-announced 2020 year-end numbers showcasing growth in the market despite challenges felt across the industry due to the pandemic. More than 250 global businesses have committed to using 100% renewable energy, and Fortune 1000 companies may represent as much as 85 GW of renewable energy demand through 2030.

“Walmart is on a path to become a regenerative company through our initiatives including targeting zero-carbon emissions across our operations without the use of carbon offsets by 2040,” said Steve Chriss, director of energy services at Walmart. “Clean energy resources are critical to reaching that goal, and we have set a goal to be powered 100% by renewable energy globally by 2035. The federal policies put forth by REBA will enable growth in renewable energy and progression to a decarbonized power grid while maintaining affordability and resilience for all American consumers.”

Already clean energy and climate action champions, these diverse businesses have taken a step past their peers to advocate for key policy strategies that accelerate energy buyer procurement goals and create a roadmap for the Biden Administration to actualize its vision of a zero-carbon energy future, including:

1. Leverage organized wholesale electricity markets for grid decarbonization by improving existing wholesale markets and expanding wholesale markets to achieve least-cost, efficient clean energy deployment.
2. Decarbonize the grid for all through swift federal government action to harmonize and update the current patchwork of clean energy policies.
3. Support innovation to advance a resilient, affordable, clean energy system by substantially increasing federal funding for clean energy technology research, development and demonstration.

“It’s imperative for McDonald’s to use its scale to help democratize clean energy for all. Our work must be meaningful and impactful as we continue making progress toward our goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions,” said Emma Cox, global renewable energy lead at McDonald’s and REBA board member. “This group of market leaders has the opportunity to advocate for key policies that will transform the future of energy markets for generations to come.”

Read the full statement here.

News item from the Renewable Energy Buyers Alliance (REBA)

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Original Source: https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2021/01/americas-largest-energy-buyers-federal-government-zero-carbon-energy/