Here comes the sun

New policies advanced by our advocates and activists across the country will result in more than four gigawatts of new solar power by 2020--more than five times the amount generated today. "We're just getting started," said Rob Sargent, Wisconsin Environment's federal energy program director. Our national federation, Environment America, is teaming up with the Solar Alliance

and the Solar Energy Industries Association to win more pro-solar policies here in the midwest, as well as in Connecticut, Maryland and at the federal level.

These efforts come on the heels of success in other states: our national federation already won approval of expanded rebates in California and new solar home options in Colorado and New Jersey. "We're ready to make solar power the centerpiece of America's new clean energy economy," said Sargent. "If we can make it easier for more people to go solar now, we'll reap the benefits for decades to come."

Toxic chemicals on tap

Julie Saunter used to have clean drinking water on tap. Today, the Dimock, Pa., resident has 10 water purification tanks in her basement, a methane gas vent in her front yard, and drinking water trucked in daily, all because of a new and dangerous form of drilling for gas taking place nearby.

With new technology and government incentives spurring a move to expand hydraulic fracturing in Pennsylvania, New York and other states, Environment America Research and Policy Center, a project of our national federation, released "Toxic Chemicals on Tap." The report is a thorough examination of the growing threat to waterways, and recommends solutions, including an end to the drilling's exemption from the Safe Drinking Water Act.