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Executive Summary

America’s dependence on fossil fuels wreaks havoc on our environment and is a drag on our economy. With a new president committed to tackling our energy challenges – and with the momentum generated by a decade of clean energy innovation at the state level – Congress has taken up the task of mapping out a new energy future for the nation.

The American Clean Energy and Security (ACES) Act, passed by the House this June and currently under consideration by the U.S. Senate, is the fruit of that effort. Passing the ACES Act – even with the compromises made to secure passage in the House – would be a significant step toward a clean energy future for the United States and would represent a ground-breaking political achievement.

We have the technology and the know-how to repower America with clean energy. Congress and the president should embrace and work to achieve ambitious goals to obtain our electricity from clean sources, curb our dependence on oil, create millions of new jobs, and prevent the worst impacts of global warming.

America can save energy by improving the efficiency of our homes, businesses and factories. At the same time, America has access to enough energy from the sun, wind, water and other renewable sources to power the nation several times over.

The nation should set a goal of obtaining 100 percent of our electricity from clean sources of energy.

We have the tools to use less oil in our transportation system by vastly improving the energy efficiency of our vehicles, replacing at least some of the oil we use with cleaner sources of energy, and bringing new transportation options – including public transportation, high-speed rail, and more opportunities for walking and biking – to more Americans.