Repowering Rhode Island and America
Ambitious goals
in 2009 and beyond
In October, the federal clean energy
tax credits that Environment Rhode
Island and allies pushed in 2008 finally
became law. Since then, we have 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. We’re getting behind a bold
plan to repower America, calling for
100 percent renewable electricity and
50 percent oil-use reduction.
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. There’d even be
some power left for transportation, and new
breakthroughs are being made every day
that extend the reach of today’s systems.
Political momentum
Environment Rhode Island and our national
federation, Environment America,
worked to persuade then President-elect
Barack Obama and incoming members
of the 111th Congress to commit to the
following principles: 100 percent renewable
electricity; cut global warming pollution
80 percent by 2050; and cut oil
use in half.
Environment Rhode Island and allies laid
the groundwork by going door-to-door
and activating our e-mail list to build
support for the plan. We identified the
number of votes we could count on in
Congress. Right after the election, we
released “Renewing America,” a report
laying out a blueprint for how to rebuild
our economy on a sound foundation of
clean energy. 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
his 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.
Turbine at Portsmouth Abbey.
