Repowering America with clean energy

In October, the federal clean energy tax credits that Environment Massachusetts and our 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 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 Massachusetts and our national federation, Environment America, worked to persuade President Barack Obama and incoming members of the 111th Congress to commit to the following principles: 100 percent renewable electricity; 80 percent of our global warming pollution cut by 2050; and oil use cut in half.

Environment Massachusetts 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 of 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 this 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.

Massachusetts leading the way

In July, Gov. Deval Patrick signed the Environment Massachusetts-backed Green Communities Act into law. One of the most comprehensive clean energy bills passed in the nation, the bill requires utilities to buy 25 percent of their power from renewable energy sources by 2030, as well as invest in energy efficient technologies and buildings, rather than buying more power to meet demand. It is estimated that energy efficiency will save ratepayers hundreds of millions of dollars.

Massachusetts and other states are setting the bar for the federal government in terms of using renewable energy, reducing global warming pollution and cutting oil use.