Clean Energy
No single solution can meet our society's future energy needs. The answer lies instead in a family of diverse energy technologies that share a common thread: they do not deplete our natural resources or destroy our environment. Renewable energy technologies tap into natural cycles and systems, turning the ever-present energy around us into usable forms.
Features
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An Image Worth A Thousand Words, Laura Wisland The State of Clean Energy in the State of the Union, Jeff Deyette Clean Car Hearings Hit the Road – First Stop: Detroit, Michelle Robinson  Subscribe to the Energy feed
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U.S. Power Plants Strain Water Resources
Power plants are stressing freshwater resources around the country. This report, "Freshwater Use by U.S. Power Plants: Electricity's Thirst for a Precious Resource," is the first systematic assessment of how power-plant cooling affects freshwater resources across the United States and of the quality of the data available on power plant water usage.
A Bright Future for the Heartland: Powering the Midwest Economy with Clean Energy
Tapping the Midwest’s clean energy potential could drive billions of dollars in new business investment, create thousands of jobs, and save families and businesses billions through lower utility bills, while reducing the state’s dependence on coal and associated carbon emissions that contribute to climate change.
Tapping Into Wind Power
Explore how wind power is one of the most cost-effective sources of electricity available, capable of generating power at prices competitive with new natural gas plants and cheaper than new coal and nuclear plants, while offering substantial public health, economic, and environmental benefits.
California Passes Renewable Energy Standard, Takes the Lead on Renewable Energy, Green Jobs
California’s landmark renewable energy standard legislation—the Renewables Portfolio Standard (RPS), or 33 percent RPS law. The 33 percent RPS law creates the strongest renewable energy requirement in the country and positions California as a national leader in clean energy investments.
A Blueprint for Meeting President Obama’s Clean Energy Goals
In his January 2011 State of the Union address, President Obama called for the United States to produce 80 percent of its electricity from “clean” energy sources by 2035. UCS will work with the Administration and Congress to keep any clean energy standard strong and effective while also benefiting consumers and the environment. And UCS will vehemently oppose efforts to link any such standard with erosion of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) authority and standards to protect public health.
Successes
Recent successes in Clean Energy include:
- Strengthening Congressional support for a national renewable electricity standard by showing in our analysis, Clean Power, Green Jobs, that a 25 percent by 2025 standard would reduce global warming emissions, create jobs, and save consumers money
- Worked with a large, diverse coalition of businesses and environmental groups to extend and expand federal tax incentives for renewable energy and energy efficiency as part of the October 2008 and February 2009 economic stimulus bills
- Through strong advocacy, testimony, and outreach, our coalitions helped prevent Kansas legislature from overturning Governor rejection of proposed coal plant on climate grounds; helped win favorable Minnesota PUC decision requiring all Minnesota utilities to include future CO2 costs, contributing to three major utilities excluding new coal from their long-term plans; and helped win a favorable interim decision against the proposed Big Stone plant in South Dakota. Nationally, more than 60 proposed new plants were cancelled, deferred or rejected in the last two years.
- Expanding state-level commitments to renewable energy bringing the total number of states with a renewable electricity standard in place to 28
Analysis
A Better Climate Bill: Raising Efficiency and Renewable Electricity Standards
New UCS analysis shows that strengthening policies to support renewable energy and energy efficiency as part of a comprehensive national cap on carbon emissions can increase benefits for consumers and industry.
Clean Energy, Green Jobs
Clean energy sources can help stabilize energy prices, stimulate the development of innovative new technology, and create high-quality jobs and other economic benefits.
Burning Coal, Burning Cash: Ranking the States That Import the Most Coal
Importing coal is a major drain on state economies. UCS shows the scale of these costs, and suggests how those funds can instead be invested in energy efficiency and homegrown clean energy.
Importing Pollution: Coal's Threat to Climate Policy in the U.S. Northeast
Examining the links between coal power and climate policy in the Northeast, this report suggests options to ensure the success of the Northeast's important efforts to address global warming pollution.
In Global Warming section:
UCS Study Shows Sensible Path to Clean Energy Economy
Climate 2030: A National Blueprint for a Clean Energy Economy outlines how the United States can jumpstart a transition to a clean energy future.
Campaigns
National Renewable Electricity Standard (RES) Campaign
Updates, resources, and how you can help ensure clean, renewable energy for America.
A Balanced Biomass Definition
A fact sheet that details the need for sustainability standards in a broad renewable biomass definition and options for forest owners.
Renewable Energy Helps Alaska's Native Village Energy Crisis
Information on recent UCS work in Alaska to bring renewable energy to native villages in need.
UCS/Southern Alliance for Clean Energy (SACE) Letter
The sign-on letter that promotes a strong federal renewable energy standard. Over 3,200 businesses, community leaders, and concerned citizens have signed on.
Production Tax Credit for Renewable Energy
Background information and an update on the status of the Production Tax Credit for Renewable Energy.
Resources
RES Toolkit
UCS created this toolkit to provide renewable energy advocates, policy makers, researchers, and concerned citizens with both summary-level and in-depth information on the design and implementation of each existing state standard.
Coal vs. Wind
Today, coal generates over half of the electricity in the United States, while wind power accounts for less than one percent. With this special feature you can see the impacts of both energy sources and decide for yourself which should be a part of a cleaner, more sustainable energy future in America.
Energy 101: Take a Tour
This section provides a background on energy. We take a brief look at energy use today and through history, describe how various energy sources are harnessed and used, and examine the serious side effects from our country's heavy dependence on fossil fuels.
Wind Power in New England
New England has installed only a handful of wind turbines to date. Based on the strong, positive feedback coming from the three New England communities that host wind turbines—Hull and Princeton, MA, and Searsburg, VT—it is time to examine the benefits more closely.
