Repowering America with clean energy
In October, the federal clean energy tax credits that Environment Ohio and allies pushed in 2008 finally became law. Since then, we’ve turned our attention to making sure that the new president and Congress pass a comprehensive energy plan that will cut dependence on oil and reduce global warming pollution. We’re getting behind a bold plan to repower America, calling for 100 percent renewable electricity and 50 percent oil-use reduction.
Saving energy through high-performance and even zero-energy homes and businesses can cut energy use by at least 30 percent. Energy efficiency is the fastest and cheapest way to reduce dependence on fossil fuels, but we also need new sources of clean, renewable homegrown energy.
Even with existing technology, solar power in the Southwest and in cities across America, and wind power offshore and on land could provide the power we need to meet our electricity needs. There would even be power left for transportation, and breakthroughs are being made every day that extend the reach of today’s systems.
Political momentum
Environment Ohio and our national federation, Environment America, worked to persuade then President-elect Barack Obama and incoming members of the 111th Congress to commit to the following principles: use 100 percent renewable electricity; cutting global warming pollution 80 percent by 2050; and cutting oil use in half.
Environment Ohio—and our allies across the country—laid the groundwork by going door-to-door and activating our e-mail list to build support for the plan. After the election, we released “Renewing America,” a report laying out a blueprint for how we can rebuild our economy on a sound foundation of clean energy. We enlisted the support of scientists, business leaders and entrepreneurs to stand up to the opposition from the oil, gas and coal industries.
Politically, the winds of change are blowing in our direction. President Obama pledged during this campaign to invest $150 billion in clean, renewable energy. And many candidates for Senate seats made investment in clean energy a centerpiece of their campaigns.
