New Energy Solutions News

As the new home of WISPIRG's environmental work, Wisconsin Environment can be contacted with any questions regarding this report.  

MERRILL—The Wisconsin Public Interest Research Group (WISPIRG) today unveiled the ten best opportunities to move America beyond fossil fuels and toward a cleaner, more secure energy future for America.

The list is based on WISPIRG’s new report The Road to a New Energy Future, which highlights numerous technologies to reduce U.S. dependence on fossil fuels. It is the second of two reports that reinforce the importance of an American commitment to moving toward a cleaner and more secure energy future.

“With war in the middle east, volatile gas prices, and the gathering storm of global warming, America needs a new energy future,” said Bruce Speight, WISPIRG Field Director. “We cannot afford to pass up any of these golden opportunities,” continued Speight.

WISPIRG’s report shows that the U.S.already has the tools to accomplish the goals of reducing U.S. dependence on oil; harnessing clean, renewable, homegrown energy; and saving energy with high performance homes, buildings and appliances.

Identified by WISPIRG as among the Ten Best Opportunities for a New Energy Future were:

• Harness the wind. The wind that blows through America’s Great Plains could theoretically generate enough electricity to power the entire country. The cost of wind turbines has declined by approximately 90 percent in the last 20 years and wind now cost-competitive with fossil fuel electricity generation in many parts of the country.
• Capture the power of the sun. The potential for electricity from solar energy in the United States is huge; Solar photovoltaic panels, or PV panels, placed on just 7 percent of the area currently covered by cities and residences could generate all of America’s electricity. The price of solar energy has dropped dramatically over the last two decades. The solar industry
• Change light bulbs. Lighting accounts for about 9 percent of household electricity consumption. If every American household replaced its most highly used incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescents, total household lighting consumption could be cut in half.

Also on the list were:

• Hybrids and Plug-In Hybrids
• “Zero-Energy” Homes
• Efficient Industrial Motors
• Solar Hot Water
• Clean Bio-Fuels
• Geothermal Energy
• Fewer “Vampire” Appliances

WISPIRG today also called on all Congressional candidates in Wisconsin to support the goals of a New Energy Future.

“With elected officials supporting this initiative, we can make clean energy a reality for home and business owners,” said Amy Heart, Outreach Coordinator for the Midwest Renewable Energy Association. “These efforts will create a strong renewable energy and sustainable workforce.”

“The opportunity for a New Energy Future is knocking and Wisconsinites are calling on our leaders to answer,” said Speight. “We need a national commitment to put these clean energy tools in the hands of the individuals and businesses that will build our energy future,” continued Speight.