Our Recent Clean Energy Accomplishments
UCS analysis of the impacts of fossil-fuel-based power generation shows the need for clean energy.
Advanced the prospects of wind power.
UCS provided expert testimony and more than 16,000 letters of support that helped Cape Wind (the United States’ first major offshore wind power facility) gain federal approval, opening the door to similar projects across the country.
Illustrated coal power’s drain on state economies.
Our report Burning Coal, Burning Cash documented for the first time the billions of dollars that states pay to import coal from other states and foreign countries.
These findings, along with our recommendations for boosting local economies with investments in energy efficiency and renewable energy, bust the myth that coal is a source of cheap energy.
Prevented unwarranted subsidies for nuclear power.
UCS analysis showed that subsidies for nuclear power in proposed legislation would be worth between $65 billion and $147 billion to the industry.
Our efforts to educate policy makers about the huge risk taxpayers would bear as a result of this massive giveaway stymied industry lobbyists.
Helped California take the lead on renewable energy, green jobs.
For over a decade, UCS has been a lead group advocating for an aggressive California renewable energy standard. In a bold move, the landmark legislation—often referred to as the 33 percent Renewables Portfolio Standard—was signed into law on April 12, 2011.
The law will require California utilities to provide at least a third of their electricity from clean and safe renewable sources like the wind and the sun by the year 2020, and will provide meaningful economic benefits to California by stimulating clean technology investment, innovation, and the creation of new clean energy jobs.
Revealed the coming clash between energy choices and dwindling water supplies.
UCS launched an initiative to bring experts together to deal with the crisis we face if U.S. energy policy continues to rely on heavily water-dependent power plants.
Support our work.
For more than 20 years, UCS has worked with leading experts to educate U.S. decision makers and the public about clean, renewable energy and the implemention of practical solutions at an international, national, regional, and state level. You can help support this work:
