New coalition calls for more support to renewables in U.S.
WASHINGTON, DC, US, May 4, 2005 (Refocus Weekly)
A new coalition has been formed to lobby for renewable energies and energy efficiency as a method to reduce oil dependence in the United States.
Re-energize America is a diverse coalition of individuals and organizations
that reflect “the fast-emerging national consensus that America must reduce
its oil dependence and be responsible stewards of our nation's natural
heritage,” the group explains. “The best way to do that is to harness clean,
renewable energy sources and alternative energy technologies here at home, and
to vastly improve energy efficiency.”
Leaders representing political constituencies not usually associated with the
debate over national energy policy held a news conference to launch the
campaign, noting that an expansion of energy choices will stimulate innovation,
create jobs, strengthen national security and stop global warming. National
security, job growth, faith-based stewardship and the Western way of life are
affected by energy choices, they explained, and urged government to embark on
“a new path toward a cleaner, more secure energy future for America.”
“Our continuing reliance on oil and energy technologies of the past is a
serious national security challenge that threatens our economy, our health and
our quality of life," says retired navy vice admiral Dennis McGinn. “As a
nation, we can rise to this challenge now, with clear action and modern
technology to move beyond oil from unstable regions of the world."
“America is addicted to fossil fuels,” the group explains. “We consume
nearly one-quarter of the world's energy; gas mileage in our cars and trucks is
the worst it's been in nearly 20 years; at the same time, most of the oil we
need comes from unstable regions in the world and simply drilling for more oil
won't solve the problem.”
“All this is happening when we are fast approaching a tipping point when
global warming pollution from energy use will irreversibly harm the planet,”
it continues. “Not to mention what fossil fuel addiction means to our health
and national security.”
Other speakers at the campaign launch included the United Steelworkers of
America, ranchers from New Mexico and the Evangelical Environmental Network. The
campaign is managed by the Natural Resources Defense Council.
The U.S. imports 60% of its oil, “making us dangerously dependent on a
precarious energy source to keep our economy moving,” it says. “Most of the
oil we import comes from undemocratic regions of the world, and oil riches in
the Middle East have been linked to funding and inciting terrorist networks.”
“The thousands of miles of pipelines that help bring oil to America are also
vulnerable to terrorist attack; a few targeted strikes against oil facilities in
Saudi Arabia could take several million barrels of Saudi oil off the global
market every day for months and send oil prices soaring to more than $100 per
barrel,” it adds. “A safer, more secure energy future is well within
America’s reach.”
Coal-fired power plants are the single largest source of air pollutants and the
“fastest, cleanest and cheapest way for America to reduce these dangerous
pollutants is through energy efficiency,” it explains. “We can also generate
more electricity from clean resources such as wind, solar and biomass. A
national renewable portfolio standard would expand the market for renewable
energy even further.”
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