Congress is considering legislation that would require electric utilities to obtain a certain percentage of their electricity from renewable energy – the Renewable Electricity Standard. This legislation presents a unique opportunity to create jobs for Americans while also reducing greenhouse gases, which contribute to global warming.

Wind energy has already become a significant part of our energy picture – it supplied 42 percent of all new electricity sources last year and created 35,000 new jobs. But it has the potential to do much more. Each turbine is made up of 8,000 parts, and manufacturing those components here at home will create thousands more good jobs.

Horizon Wind Energy is a great example of the kind of jobs that can be created – but more can be done. Horizon is currently constructing the Meadow Lake Wind farm – a 300 megawatt park that can power more than 90,000 Indiana homes. In addition, Horizon is developing more than 1,000 megawatts in Indiana – the equivalent of $2 billion in infrastructure. Meadow Lake alone is creating more than 200 temporary construction jobs and will create more than 30 permanent jobs upon completion.

But this economic bonanza will only be realized if Congress makes a long-range commitment to wind energy by passing a strong Renewable Electricity Standard. this fall. If we don’t act, those jobs will go overseas to countries that have already made a commitment to renewable energy manufacturing.

I urge Sen. Evan Bayh and Sen. Richard Lugar to support strengthening the Renewable Electricity Standard already in the House and Senate bills. It will mean the difference between conforming to the status quo and reaching for a new energy future that brings thousands of jobs, increased energy security and reduced greenhouse gases.

BILL WHITLOCK Director of Development Horizon Wind Energy Indianapolis