NEW ENERGY CAN RUN THE COUNTRY

Run the country and save the world.

Renewable energy could power half the nation; Industry report says wind, solar could make big contribution to energy supply by 2025, but only if policies change
Steve Hargreaves, May 2, 2007 (CNN Money)
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WHO
American Council On Renewable Energy (ACORE)

WHAT
An ACORE report contends that with the proper incentives the US could get 50% of its electricity and 40% of its transportation fuel from renewable energy in the foreseeable future.

WHEN
The ACORE report, released May 1, says the goals are attainable by 2025.
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WHERE
The US.

WHY
- The projection: 40% of the electricity from wind; 26% solar; 16 % geothermal; 16 % biomass; 3.6% water (hydro dams, tidal, wave).
- US government and major oil company projections: 5-10% of energy from renewables by 2030.
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- The necessary incentives are long-term government policies which would create stability in standards and expectations. Possible examples: mandates for utilities requiring fixed percentages of electricity from renewables, taxing CO2 emissions to establish truer fossil fuel energy costs, making tax credits for renewables permanent, increasing R & D for renewables 10-fold, to $3-4 billion/year.

QUOTES
ACORE president Michael Eckhart: "We still have elected officials who believe renewable energy cannot power this country, and I think that is incorrect…We can deliver huge amounts of energy in an environmentally sustainable way…Renewable energy doesn't amount to much unless you change policy…"