Clean Energy Program: Renewable Energy and Nuclear Plant Safety



By demonstrating that renewable energy solutions are sustainable both environmentally and economically, we aim to enact federal and state policies that support renewable energy, reduce barriers to the adoption of renewable technologies, and encourage all energy purchasers to use renewables.

Update October 2007: Cashing In on Clean Energy New analysis by UCS examines the House-passed 15 percent by 2020 national renewable electricity standard and finds benefits for consumer energy bill savings. Renewable Electricity Standard Toolkit A comprehensive resource on state-level renewable electricity standard policy including both summary-level and in-depth information on the design and implementation of each existing state standard. Study Shows State Renewable Electricity Standards are Affordable View a UCS summary of a new analysis from the U.S. Department of Energy that compares the results from 28 state or utility-level renewable electricity standard cost studies. Carbon Risk, Coal, and Higher Electricity Prices Electric utilities continue to invest in conventional coal plants despite the fact that governments are moving to restrict the heat-trapping carbon dioxide emissions from such plants. The risks are both environmental and financial. A new UCS report, Gambling with Coal, shows how investment in conventional coal plants is a reckless financial gamble given coming climate regulation. Carbon Risk and Big Stone II Read about the proposed Big Stone II coal plant in South Dakota and what you can do to stop it. Walking a Nuclear Tightrope In the span of four decades, the U.S. nuclear power industry experienced 51 reactor outages lasting a year or more. A new UCS report identifies common themes among these outages and outlines steps the Nuclear Regulatory Commission should take to avoid a catastrophic (and avoidable) nuclear accident.




	Nuclear Power Information Tracker The Nuclear Power Information Tracker allows users to search for U.S. nuclear power plants by location, reactor type, operational status, and safety concerns.
	Renewable Electricity Standard Toolkit A comprehensive database that provides summary-level and in-depth information on state renewable electricity standards.
	Coal vs. Wind Power: You Judge! Compare the effects of coal and wind power with this interactive feature.
	Just the Facts A searchable database that offers the latest scientific insight into the risks of fossil fuels and the benefits of renewable energy.
	Energy 101: Take a tour Learn how various energy sources have been harnessed and used throughout history, and examine the serious side effects from our country's heavy dependence on fossil fuels.

The UCS Clean Energy Program has played a significant role in winning support for renewable energy in key federal energy bills and laws enacted recently in a number of states. In June 2005—for the third time in four years—we led a coalition that was successful in convincing the U.S. Senate to pass a federal renewable electricity standard of 10 percent by 2020 (as part of comprehensive energy legislation). At the state level, UCS has played a role in a majority of the state renewable electricity standards and renewable energy funds that have been enacted since 1997. In 2006, we helped convince the citizens of Washington State to vote in favor of a renewable electricity standard (15 percent by 2020) as part of a clean energy initiative that also included conservation requirements. In 2005, we participated in a coalition that succeeded in more than doubling the renewable energy requirement of the Texas renewable electricity standard. We also led an effort in California that succeeded in requiring electric utilities to factor the regulatory risk of carbon emissions into all long-term power purchases. Our analysis, testimony, and outreach efforts have also helped win renewable energy victories in Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Iowa, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Wisconsin, and Washington, DC. UCS estimates that the 24 states with renewable electricity standards or renewable energy funds will increase their renewable energy capacity 46,625 MW by 2020—a 345 percent increase over 1997 levels. This increase will provide enough electricity for more than 28.7 million typical U.S. homes and reduce annual carbon dioxide emissions (the main heat-trapping gas causing global warming) 109 million metric tons by 2020. This level of carbon dioxide reduction is equivalent to taking 17.8 million cars off the road or planting 26.1 million acres of trees—an area nearly the size of Ohio. In our work on nuclear safety, we laid the groundwork for the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to finally begin developing objective criteria for decisions on closing or restarting nuclear power plants.