Reduce Our Oil Dependence

In a huge victory for clean energy, President Obama signed the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act into law. The Act invested $19 billion in clean transportation initiatives, including plug in hybrids, public transit, and intercity and high speed rail.  These provisions will reduce our oil consumption by as much as 15 millions barrels per year and create $388 million jobs.  

Exxon Mobil and other Oil companies are spending millions on ads and lobbing to maintain their stranglehold on Washington and America's energy system. Meanwhile, we have the ability to reduce our oil consumption through improved gas mileage, better transportation choices, and clean farm-based fuels. By investing in plug-in hybrid technology and public transit we can reduce our dependence on oil by 50 percent.

Americans want real change that creates jobs and preserves our environment. State officials have been leading the nation. Environment America helped persuade 28 states to require a growing amount of their electricity to come from renewable sources. Congress is now beginning to act. Last year, Environment America helped move congress towards a new energy future by approving $78.6 billion in funding for clean energy, energy efficiency, and green transportation through the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act. But this was just a first step- we need to do much, much more. Environment America's Repower America campaign is promoting a national Renewable Energy Standard (RES) that would require the nation’s utilities to incorporate an increasing amount of renewable energy into their mix of electricity resources. In addition we are working to increase the development of a green skilled workforce, increased building efficiency, and the rapid deployment of renewable energy, so that we can reduce pollution and jump-start our economy. More info.