THE OBAMA CLEAN ENERGY GOALS

The Clean Energy Standard’s Five Goals

"A global race is underway to develop and manufacture clean energy technologies, and we are competing with other countries that are playing to win. America has the most dynamic economy in the world, but we can’t expect to win the future by standing still. That’s why, in his State of the Union address, President Obama proposed an ambitious but achievable goal of generating 80 percent of the Nation’s electricity from clean energy sources by 2035. Meeting that target will position the United States as a global leader in developing and manufacturing cutting-edge clean energy technologies. It will ensure continued growth in the renewable energy sector, building on the progress made in recent years. And it will spur innovation and investment in our nation’s energy infrastructure, catalyzing economic growth and creating American jobs.

"1. Double the share of clean electricity in 25 years: Currently, 40 percent of our electricity comes from clean energy sources. President Obama is calling for a national goal of doubling the share of clean energy to 80 percent by 2035."

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"2. Draw on a wide range of clean energy sources: To give utilities the flexibility to generate clean energy wherever makes the most sense, all clean sources – including renewables, nuclear power, efficient natural gas, and coal with carbon capture and sequestration – would count toward the goal.

"3. Deploy capital investment to sustain and create jobs: The private sector is currently sitting on billions of dollars of capital, as investors and businesses wait to see what policies the future holds. By providing a clear signal towards a clean energy future, the President’s proposal will move that capital off of the sidelines and into the economy, mobilizing tens of billions of dollars each year in new investment and creating jobs across the country."

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"4. Drive innovation in clean energy technologies: The engine of economic strength is technological innovation. By providing American businesses a market here at home for innovative clean energy technologies, we will unleash the creative power of American entrepreneurs – and ensure that our nation leads the world in clean energy.

"5. Complement the clean energy research and development agenda: The President’s Budget proposes to increase overall investment in clean energy technologies by about one-third compared to 2010, including doubling energy efficiency investment at the Department of Energy and increasing investment in the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) program to push bold new ideas through to commercialization."