It is critically important that the next President embrace a true clean energy revolution for electric power generation. Our current reliance on fossil fuel-fired and nuclear power is exacting a heavy toll on human health, the economy and the environment. Coal, natural gas and nuclear power are water-intensive, highly polluting and ultimately expensive technologies, and they can, over time, be replaced by a new, sustainable electric grid design. A modern electric power system must rely primarily on low-risk, affordable, much less water-intensive and renewable technologies. Its feasibility has been extensively documented, and extensive polling data show the public supports it.
In his first 100 days, the next President must:
- First, work to establish a much-needed national water policy in order to avert or mitigate the current and future water scarcity problems that face the nation if today’s electric generation mix remains unchanged or becomes even more dependent on fossil-fuel-fired and nuclear power. Power generation in the U.S. currently accounts for 50 percent of all water withdrawals and 41 percent of all fresh water withdrawals.
- Second, the President must establish sustainability criteria to guide the choice and deployment of new electricity generating technologies. Americans require and support a power system that is affordable and reliable, consumes modest volumes of water, substantially reduces public health impacts, improves environmental quality and addresses climate change. The incoming administration should work to eliminate all public support for energy technologies that do not meet these criteria.
- Third, the next administration must begin to make energy efficiency and non-combustion-based renewable energy technologies the core of the electric power system and adopt policies and programs that lead to eventual replacement of fossil fuel-fired and nuclear power plants.
- Fourth, and finally, the next President must make it a priority to ensure that the United States becomes the acknowledged global leader in job-creating clean energy technologies and in confronting the challenge of climate change.
The transition to a true clean energy future is doable, but not without the political will, vision and determination of political leaders willing to stand up to powerful economic interests invested in business as usual.
