What's New
On February 8, an economic stimulus
package that included crucial renewable energy and energy efficiency tax
incentives failed to get the 60 votes necessary to overcome a filibuster in the US Senate. As one of the fastest growing industries in the
U.S., clean energy is the shining light in an otherwise lackluster economic
outlook. Unfortunately many of the tax incentives – namely the renewable energy
production tax credit and the solar investment tax credit -- are set to expire
at the end of this year. Unless Congress and the President act soon, the bright
light of the clean energy industry will likely be extinguished for the short
term, and potentially cost the U.S.economy as many as 75,000 jobs, according to
the American Wind Energy Association.
The clean energy incentives included in the
amendment defeated Wednesday would not only stimulate the economy in the
short-term by continuing job creation and spurring investment, but also would
help solve global warming and promote long-term development and growth in the
clean energy technology industry. Congress should make haste in extending these
critical incentives and give a boost to a bright light in the
U.S.economy.
How You Can Help
Ask your U.S. Representative to co-sponsor the Federal Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard Act (HR 969) introduced by Representatives Tom Udall and Todd Platts. This bill will increase our use of homegrown renewable resources like wind, solar, geothermal, and biomass by requiring 20 percent of electricity production to come from these sources by 2020.
Summary
We have the power: clean, renewable energy
There is no question that America can break our dependence on dirty and dangerous fossil fuels with clean, renewable energy. But, with global warming threatening our future, energy prices surging, and war raging in the Middle East, we need to act now.We can supply power to millions of homes and businesses by harnessing homegrown energy from the sun, wind and crops. Even our cloudiest states get more sun than Germany, a world leader in solar power.Our new Congress is getting serious about making real changes to our energy policy. That’s why we are urging Congress to join the American people in speaking out for generating 20 percent of our electricity from renewable energy sources like wind, solar, geothermal, ocean and biomass power by 2020.
We’ve had enough dirty, dangerous energy
More than 70 percent of the electricity we use nationwide in our homes and businesses comes from fossil fuels—coal, gas and oil. With that dependence comes air pollution, global warming, the destruction of pristince places and other problems.Here in the United States, we have some of the best renewable resources in the world and the technologies to harness them. Yet, we get less than 3 percent of our energy from clean sources, such as wind, geothermal and solar power. Opportunity knocksFor decades, government policy has favored powerful energy interests over innovative renewable energy technologies. Now with our dependence on fossil fuels threatening our environment and our economy, Congress should be ready to put innovation to work to solve our energy problems.
It’s time for a national solution
The United States has virtually unlimited potential to produce electricity from renewable energy. The wind that blows across the Great Plains could power the entire country, and we have some of the best solar resources in the world.
Leading the way
Twenty states have already established renewable standards to require utilities to generate electricity from renewable sources. Renewable power is booming in Texas and Colorado thanks to renewable standards, while Pennsylvania and New Jersey have turned their cities into international centers for solar manufacturing. It’s time for a national solution. We are urging Congress to join the American people in support of generating 20 percent of our electricity from renewable sourcs by 2020.
It’s time for a new energy future
America can build a cleaner and more secure economy by moving aggressively toward a new energy future. One of the most important steps we can take is to require that utilities generate 20 percent of our electricity from renewable sources by 2020. Our advocacy has been instrumental in passing similar clean energy policies at the state level and we are now asking Congress to join us in calling for more renewable energy. We’re working to demonstrate widespread support for building a new energy future that would also cut our dependence on oil, save energy in our homes and businesses, and invest in clean energy technologies. But we need your help to do it.
