Repowering America with clean energy

Ambitious goals in 2009 and beyond

In 2006, Wisconsin Environment’s efforts to increase investments in clean energy helped pass a law requiring 10 percent of the state’s energy to come from renewable sources by 2015. Since then, we’ve continued our work for a new energy future by advocating the renewal of federal tax credits for renewable energy. In October, the Wisconsin Environment-backed clean energy tax credits finally became law.

Now 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. Together with our allies, we’re getting behind a bold plan to repower America. We’re calling for 100 percent renewable electricity and reducing America’s dependence on oil 50 percent.

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. And new breakthroughs are being made every day that extend the reach of today’s systems.

Political momentum

With the help of our national federation, Environment America, we 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.

We laid the groundwork by going door-to-door and activating our e-mail list to build support for the plan. And 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.