What's New
In a huge victory for clean energy President Bush signed an energy bill
that will ensure fuel economy standards increase to 35 mpg by 2020. The
bill, which had unanimous support from Rhode Island's Congressional
delegation and passed with overwhelming support in both the House and
the Senate, is the first time in over thirty years that Congress has
acted to increase fuel economy. In 2020 the bill will save 1.1 million
barrels of oil per day and save consumers $22 billion at the pump.
How You Can Help
Click
here to sign the online petition asking candidates for Congress in your
district to deliver on the promise of a New Energy Future by endorsing our
plan.
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 candidates
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. Plugin 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.
