The energy challenges of the 21st century are daunting—but America has the tools to succeed. We have vast natural and intellectual resources, a skilled workforce and a nearly unlimited potential to generate electricity from renewable sources. We have the ingenuity to power our homes, workplaces and cars more efficiently—and a track record of achieving unthinkable goals. With leaders willing to rise to the challenge, America can succeed in meeting the challenge of a new energy future.
Environment America’s New Energy Future platform
- Reduce oil consumption by one third of today’s levels by 2025.
- Harness clean, homegrown resources such as solar, wind and farm-grown biofuels so we can generate at least one-quarter of our energy from renewable sources by 2025.
- Save energy through high-performance homes, buildings, workplaces and appliances so that by 2025 we use 10 percent less energy than we do today.
- Invest aggressively in research and development to support the new technologies we will need to achieve these goals.
More than 320 environmental, labor, consumer, religious and civic organizations have endorsed these principles.
A groundswell of leadership from the states
In dozens of state capitols across the country we are successfully advancing bold polices that are building a cleaner and more secure energy future for the United States.
From leading the fight for California’s Million Solar Roofs Initiative, to winning renewable energy and appliance efficiency standards, to helping pass clean cars programs in states across the country, the Environment America federation has been at the forefront of moving state-level energy policies into the 21st century.
Our strategy is to advance groundbreaking energy policies in the states to raise the bar for federal action, while mobilizing concerned Americans and emboldening a new generation of elected officials to be leaders on clean energy solutions in Washington, D.C.
New Energy Future victories in 2007
We convinced eight states—Ariz, Calif., Colo., Conn., Ill., N.H., N.M. and Ore.—to adopt or dramatically expand their renewable electricity standards. Now half of the states in the country have renewable energy requirements.
We won adoption of the California clean cars program in Maryland and New Mexico. These victories follow the passage of similar programs in 11 other states, including the country’s first program, in California, which we helped create.
We won policies requiring electric and gas utilities to prioritize energy efficiency in Colo., Conn., R.I., Maine and Ill.
We won congressional passage of the first significant increase in fuel economy standards in three decades. And we convinced the House of Representatives, for the first time, to pass a bill requiring electric utilities to get 15 percent of their power from renewable sources.
Our 2008 priorities
In order to meet the goals set forth in our platform, in 2008 we will:
- Advance new renewable energy standards in Mich., Ohio and Fla.
- Promote a new generation of policies to expand the use of solar energy in Calif., Ariz., N.M., Colo., Texas and Mass.
- Advocate strong policies to promote green buildings, including convincing mayors and governors to adopt a model energy efficiency code that would make new homes at least 30 percent more efficient.
- Establish or expand energy-efficiency standards in Ill., Mich., N.H., N.C., Pa. and Wis.
- Promote clean cars programs to put more fuel-efficient hybrids on the road in Ariz., Colo., Ill., Fla. and N.H
- Pass a strong national renewable energy standard.
- Secure a strong federal policy promoting energy-efficient green buildings.
- Convince the next president to meet all of our new energy needs with energy efficiency and clean, renewable energy.