E2 Advocacy Projects: Federal Clean Energy Legislation Objective America needs new energy policies that are fully aligned with our global warming goals (see E2's global warming campaign page ). Bills that create incentives for efficiency, renewable energy, biofuels and green jobs development should be considered, but also weighed against the risks of unbridled expansion of energy crop production at the expense of land, water and air quality. Caution must also be exercised against jumpstarting new coal-to-liquid or tar-sands industries that would actually increase carbon emissions from vehicle fuels relative to gasoline.
Background Ten Key Clean Energy Policies for Senate Legislation
Efficiency is the Faster and Cheaper Way to Lower Natural Gas Prices
Clean Energy: The Solution to Volatile Gas Prices
Move America Beyond Oil
Low-Carbon Fuel Standard: Key Tool to Ensure Clean Fuels
E2 Policy Recommendations for the 110th Congress
News articles Green Startups Target the Department of Defense - Mar 11, 2011,
Clean Energy Firms Aided by US Find Investors - Feb 2, 2011,
As Oil Industry Fights a Tax, It Reaps Subsidies - Jul 3, 2010, The New York Times
Interior touts fast-tracking of 13 solar projects - Jan 29, 2010, E&E Daily
As reactor fleet ages, engineers ask, 'Is 80 the new 40?' - Nov 20, 2009, The New York Times
Report Shows Hidden Costs of Energy - Oct 19, 2009, The New York Times
The Dry Garden: Want to save energy? Start by saving water - Aug 28, 2009, Los Angeles Times
More Sun for Less: Solar Panels Drop in Price - Aug 26, 2009, The New York Times
Shift to wind turbines is hardly a breeze - Aug 24, 2009, Los Angeles Times
How Oil Dependent Is Your State? - Aug 12, 2009, CNET
Efficiency Drive Could Cut Energy Use 23% by 2020, Study Finds - Jul 29, 2009, The New York Times
Big Oil putting more money into alternative energy programs - Feb 18, 2009, Greenwire
Hurdles (Not Financial Ones) Await Electric Grid Update - Feb 6, 2009, The New York Times
Editorials, Op-eds & Blogs Oil Prices Soar Despite Increase in US Production Under Obama - Mar 9, 2011,
Cleaner, Cheaper, Faster: Why Efficiency Beats Drilling - L. Tonachel Blog - Mar 9, 2011, Luke Tonachel, NRDC Switchboard
Countering the Oil Curse: Senators Offer a New Plan - Jul 21, 2010, Deron Lovaas, Switchboard
Time to recognize the price we pay for carbon - Jun 15, 2010, Peter Lehner, Switchboard
DOE Funds $27.6M Study of CO2 Storage in Wake of Tar Sands Pipeline Approval - Aug 25, 2009, Reuters
Americans will have to speak up for clean energy - Jul 4, 2009, The Tennessean
A fuel-efficient future - Jan 27, 2009, Los Angeles Times
How Many Miles Per Gallon? - Jan 11, 2009, The New York Times
E2 Statements/Letters E2 Letter Supporting Comprehensive Energy and Carbon Legislation (May 25, 2010)
Signed E2 Letter Supporting Suspension of Keystone XL Tar Sands Oil Pipeline Permitting Process (Jun 7, 2010)
E2 Senate Climate Legislation Letter (May 17, 2010)
E2 Letter Supporting Clean Energy Policies to Reduce our Oil Dependence Signed (Apr 12, 2011)
E2 Support Letter for Renewable Electricity Promotion Act (S. 3813) (Oct 15, 2010)
Letter to Begich Supporting Energy Bill (Jun 8, 2010)
E2 Letter Supporting the Suspension of the Keystone XL Tar Sands Oil Pipeline Permitting Process (Jun 3, 2010)
E2 Letter Supporting Comprehensive Energy and Carbon Legislation (May 17, 2010)
E2 Letter Supporting Comprehensive Carbon and Clean Energy Legislation (Feb 3, 2010)
E2 Letter Supporting Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act 2009 (Sep 29, 2009) At a hearing of the Senate Environment & Public Works committee about the bill, chairwoman Barbara Boxer (D-CA) mentions E2's letter among evidence of public support for federal action against global warming.
E2 Letter Supporting ACES 2009 (Jun 23, 2009)
E2 Recommendations for an Economic Recovery Package (Jan 15, 2009)
E2 Drilling Opposition Letter to Congress (Jul 30, 2008)
E2 Letter Supporting Federal Clean Energy Tax Incentives Package (Mar 21, 2008)
E2 Letter on 2007 Federal Energy Bill (Nov 1, 2007)
E2 Oil Savings letter supporting H.R. 4409 and S. 2025 (May 1, 2006)
Related publications Powering America's Economy: Energy Innovations at the Crossroads of National Security Challenges
A Clean Energy Bargain
Unlocking Energy Efficiency in the U.S. Economy
The Economic Benefits of Investing in Clean Energy
Efficiency Can Lower Natural Gas Prices Faster and Cheaper than Drilling
Scaling Up Investment in Energy Efficiency with a Federal Energy Efficiency Financing Facility
Picking a Clean Energy Plan: Plug-in Alternative vs. Pickens Plan
Clean Energy Saves Americans Money
Powering Up Renewable Electricity
Nuclear Facts
NRDC Well-to-Wheels Alternative Fuels Comparison Chart
With everyone in Washington focused on the economy, the potential for creating jobs has become one of the main criteria by which new bills are judged. A bill that would have comprehensively addressed global warming emissions and dependence on fossil fuels failed in 2010, but clean energy continues to be considered in other legislative vehicles.
Jul 15, 2010 - Senators Merkley (D-OR), Bennet (D-CO), Carper (D-DE) and Udall (D-NM) introduce S. 3601, the Oil Independence for a Stronger America bill.
Jun 23, 2009 - The House introduces H.R. 2998, the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 (ACES)
Sep 23, 2008 - Senate passes H.R. 6049, but the bill fails to get concurred and does not make it to the President's desk.
Jul 30, 2008 - President Bush signs H.R. 3221 to extend clean energy tax incentives.
May 21, 2008 - The House passes H.R. 6049. The Senate is expected to vote on a similar bill in June.
May 14, 2008 - The "Renewable Energy
and Job Creation Act of 2008 " (H.R. 6049) is introduced in the House.
Dec 2007 - Congress passes and president signs 2007 Energy Bill, which raises automobile fuel efficiency standards, will increase production of biofuels, contains key conservation measures in areas such as appliance and building efficiency, and phases out inefficient incandescent light bulbs.
E2 supports reducing our oil dependence through clean energy policies (Apr 8, 2011)
