With Billions at Stake, Trying to Expand the Meaning of ‘Renewable Energy

Left: Leah Nash for The New York Times; top right: Sean Gallup/Getty Images; bottom right: Rick Smith/Associated Press

New York Times

By FELICITY BARRINGER

Published: May 24, 2009

Question about the article: Is this a Joke?

"The meanings of “renewable” and “alternative” have been expanded in some states. Wind, flammable pellets made from garbage and the burning of waste coal have all been designated renewable energy, or an equivalent, in at least one state."Article>>>>

A quote from the article: "Senator Jeff Bingaman, Democrat of New Mexico and chairman of the Senate energy committee, said that if too many new technologies beyond core renewable sources like wind and solar were to be included, “the whole purpose of the renewable electricity standard is defeated.”

The goal, he said, is “to encourage the development of some of these newer technologies and bring the price down.”

He added, “If you throw in everything else” and call it renewable, “then your numbers get way out of whack."'