PORTLAND, Ore., May 15 (UPI) -- Proposed legislation on renewable energy in states such as Oregon has business leaders worried about the cost of going green.
In Oregon, a proposed bill would require utilities to supply customers with 25 percent renewable energy by 2025. Industry leaders say the measure will hurt the economy, The Oregonian reported.
"Existing manufacturing companies are too important to be playing these kinds of dangerous games," said Jonathon Williams, an Intel Corp. lobbyist.
The manufacturing companies would be hardest hit when utilities increase electricity costs to mitigate the higher costs of renewables. The sector in Oregon makes up 10 percent of the workforce.
The proposed legislation is supported by Gov. Ted Kulongoski.
"It's disappointing that some of the state's largest corporations, with the reputation for being forward thinking and cutting edge, are the loudest opponents to a bill that would advance Oregon's competitiveness globally in one of the fastest growing industries: renewable energy," said Anna Taylor, a spokeswoman for Kulongoski.
The state Senate already passed the bill and it was well received in the House Energy and Environment Committee. Other states have passed similar standards.
