Taking a step in the right direction on clean energy, on Jan. 18 the U.S.House approved the CLEAN Energy Act of 2007. We strongly supported the measure, which would repeal $14 billion in tax breaks and subsidies for the oil industry and invest the money in clean, renewable energy and energy efficiency. We’re urging the Senate to pass the bill as well.

The clean energy fund could be used to offer consumers incentives to purchase energy-efficient products, expand research and development into new technologies, and extend tax credits to promote the development of renewable energy projects such as wind farms.

Our staff helped write and promote the legislation, which was included in Speaker Pelosi’s “100 hours” agenda. We also lobbied House members and delivered the petition signatures of 25,000 of our members and supporters to the Capitol.

Moving forward
“Our next priority is to build support for a renewable electricity standard,” said Policy Advocate Jennette Gayer. “By harnessing clean, homegrown energy sources, we can cut global warming pollution and make our country a world leader in clean energy.”

In the House, Reps. Tom Udall (N.M.) and Todd Platts (Penn.) have introduced a bill that would set a 20 percent standard by 2020. Senate leadership, including Energy Committee Chair Jeff Binhaman (N.M.), has indicated that a renewable energy standard is a top priority. They’ll author a bill that will be filed in the coming months.

Researchers estimate that passing the renewable electricity bill would cut the same amount of global warming pollution as taking 89 million cars off the road.

States lead on renewable electricity
Recent action by the states is helping to pave the way for federal standards on clean, renewable electricity. So far, 22 states and the District of Columbia have adopted renewable electricity standards that require utilities to sell a minimum amount of clean, renewable electricity. Unfortunately, Georgia’s recently released State Energy Strategy fell short of recommending a similar standard.

“Congress should take note of what the states have done,” said Energy Program Director Rob Sargent. “Achieving 20 percent renewable electricity by 2020 would have tremendous environmental benefits. States have proven that’s not a goal beyond our reach.”