According to the report, technology and economics no longer limit the ability to realize a clean energy-led energy system. The cost of doing nothing is greater than the cost of a renewable future.
Editor’s Note: NextGen Climate, a non-partisan organization focused on bringing climate change to the forefront of U.S. politics, has released a report titled “The Economic Case for Clean Energy.” The report makes a case for switching American power to renewable energy sources by examining various economic reasoning. A snippet is presented here.
The United States is on the cusp of transformational change to the electricity sector. The power grid is shifting towards clean, low-cost, and sustainable energy sources that save consumers money and reduce carbon pollution.
Clean energy, once considered too expensive, is now competing headto-head on costs with fossil fuels and even beating them out in many locations around the country. The fundamentals of energy economics are changing and markets are responding accordingly, shown by the record clean energy installations across the United States in recent years.
The opportunity to build this new energy system will be a significant economic driver over the coming decades, especially because clean energy is a better job creator than fossil fuels. U.S. businesses are already leading the way with significant programs to purchase clean power for their operations. But the deck is stacked against clean energy, with the fossil fuel industry exerting inordinate amounts of political influence to prevent a level playing field.
In order to address climate change, we must find common sense, economical solutions to reduce carbon pollution from the electricity sector. The limiting factor for necessary upgrades and improvements to our power sector is not technology or cost, but is political and policy leadership (or lack thereof).
Download the full report at this link.
NextGen Climate
www.nextgenclimate.org/
Filed Under: News, Policy
