Environment California today unveiled the ten best opportunities
to move America beyond fossil fuels and toward a
cleaner, more secure energy future. The
list is based on Environment California’s new report The Road to a New Energy Future, which highlights numerous
technologies to reduce U.S. dependence on fossil fuels.
“With war in the Middle East, the gathering storm of global warming, and volatile
gas prices, America needs a new energy future,” said Bernadette
Del Chiaro, Clean Energy Advocate with Environment California. “We simply can’t
afford to pass up any of these golden opportunities.”
Environment California’s report shows that the U.S. already
has the tools to accomplish the goals of reducing U.S. dependence on oil; harnessing clean,
homegrown energy; and saving energy through efficiency and conservation.
Identified by Environment
California as among the Ten Best Opportunities for a New Energy Future were:
- Hybrid
vehicles. Vehicles already exist
that go 100 miles on a gallon of gas.
- “Zero
Energy” homes. Build homes that can generate as much
energy as they use by combining energy efficiency with renewable energy
such as solar-panels.
- Farm
energy. The U.S. already gets about 3% of its energy from “biomass”
-- plant waste and energy crops which can be obtained from sources such as
forestry residues, crop residues and energy crops.
- Capture
the heat of the earth. The natural heat and hot water contained
within the earth provides a renewable source of energy. California is a world leader in geothermal power, but there
is great potential for expansion of this market in California and beyond.
Also on the Top 10 list were:
Efficient Industrial Motors; Wind Power; Solar Power; Efficient Light Bulbs;
and Fewer “Vampire” Appliances
Environment
California is taking these
solutions and calling on all Congressional candidates to support the goals of a
New Energy Future.
“The opportunity for a New Energy Future is knocking
and we are calling on our leaders to answer,” said Del Chiaro. “We need a
national commitment to put these clean energy tools in the hands of the
individuals and businesses that will build our energy future.”
