What's New
On Thursday, Jan 18 the U.S. House of Representatives passed “The C.L.E.A.N. Energy Act of 2007,” (H.R. 6) which will close some tax loopholes for big oil companies, and recover royalties from oil and gas produced in public waters. H.R. 6 will shift more than $14 billion from these subsidies to investments in clean energy, such as energy efficient technologies and renewable power. The bill was the last of the six bills brought up for consideration during the House’s first 100 legislative hours.
How You Can Help
Click here to thank your representative for supporting “The C.L.E.A.N. Energy Act of 2007,” (H.R. 6) which will shift more than $14 billion from Big Oil subsidies to investments in clean energy, a first step towards a New Energy Future for America.
Brief Summary
There’s no question that America has the technological know-how to dramatically reduce our dependence on oil and other fossil fuels. We can make cars that go 100 miles on a gallon of gas. Wind turbines and solar panels can supply power to millions of homes and businesses. We can make high-performance products and buildings that use a fraction of the energy we use today. We’re asking citizens to join us in calling on Congress to endorse a bold and sensible plan to move America toward a new energy future.
It’s time for a new energy future
For decades, government policy favored the oil industry and other powerful energy interests over energy conservation and emerging renewable energy technologies. But now there’s momentum for change. With gas prices passing $3 per gallon, Americans are demanding cars that get better mileage. A June 2006 poll found 79 percent favor standards of at least 40 miles per gallon. With the effects of global warming showing up in our own back yards, 82 percent of Americans support increasing renewable energy. Even President Bush admits that America is “addicted to oil,” and many in Congress are reconsidering their positions on energy conservation and clean energy. But real change will only come when our elected officials are held accountable for concrete actions that can put our country on a new energy path.
Real solutions for our country
We can reduce our dependence on foreign oil. Plug-in hybrid cars that go 100 miles on a gallon of gas already exist. Congress should tell the auto industry to make vehicles that get at least 40 miles per gallon. And, should support policies that encourage shifting away from oil as a transportation fuel.
We can harness clean, renewable homegrown energy
The wind that blows over America’s Great Plains could provide enough power for the entire country. Lawmakers should require that 25 percent of our nation’s energy come from clean, renewable sources by 2025.
We can save energy with high-performance homes and businesses
EnergyStar-certified homes use 30 percent less energy than other homes. Lawmakers should create incentives to reduce the amount of energy we waste so that we can cut our nation’s energy use by at least 10 percent by 2025.
We can invest in a bold, new energy future
By investing more public and private dollars in new energy-saving and renewable technologies, we’ll power our future and make America the world’s clean energy leader.
We’re calling on Congress to implement the following plan to move America towards a New Energy Future:
- Reduce our dependence on oil by saving one-third of the oil we use today by 2025 (7 million barrels per day). Through improved gas mileage, better transportation choices and clean fuels, we could easily save more than twice the amount of oil we import from the Persian Gulf.
- Harness clean, renewable, homegrown energy sources like wind, solar and farm-based bio-fuels for at least a quarter of all energy needs by 2025. America has virtually limitless potential to generate electricity from renewable energy sources such as wind power and solar power. In fact, the wind that blows through America’s plains is enough to meet the electricity needs of the entire country. We also can power our cars with renewable energy by using energy crops such as switchgrass and agricultural by-products.
- Save energy with high performance homes, buildings and appliances so that by 2025 we use 10 percent less energy than we do today. Dramatic improvements in energy efficiency are possible in virtually every aspect of American life. By building homes and offices that use less energy and improving the efficiency of appliances and industrial equipment, we can transform the way we consume energy.
- Invest in a New Energy Future. By committing $30 billion over the next 10 years to the New Energy for America Initiative, we could triple research and development funding for the energy-saving and renewable technologies we need to achieve these goals.
