Energy No. 315

Adopted 1992

Reaffirmed 1994

Reaffirmed 1996

Amended 1997

Amended 1999

Amended 2001

Reaffirmed 2002

Reaffirmed 2005

Revised 2007

Over the next ten years, the world’s energy system must become much more efficient, much less dangerous to the environment, much more responsive to the social and economic needs of consumers, much less the object of international power politics, and much more subject to democratic public regulation.

The United States is deeply and irrevocably involved in the world economy, including its oil markets. The federal government should take the lead in mobilizing both public and private interests to address energy and energy-related issues in a coherent, coordinated, long-range, democratic manner.

There are no simple or cost-free solutions to the world’s multi-faceted energy problems. Energy conservation, energy efficiency, and protection of the environment must be increased. The economic and political power of the world’s giant energy conglomerates (including the oil company giants, electric utilities, and electrical equipment suppliers) must be controlled and cut back. America’s dependence on imported oil and the nation’s dependence on fossil fuels must be reduced. The role of nuclear power in generating electricity must be further examined and research funded so that the safety of its operation and the disposal of generated hazardous waste can be guaranteed.

At the same time, the United States and the world must rapidly develop less polluting, more environmentally sustainable, more economically attractive, and more politically reliable alternative sources of energy. The United States can be a leader in developing and applying technologies that increase energy efficiency and exploit low-cost, non-polluting renewable energy sources. The production of alternative energy sources and energy efficiency is already an important industry in the United States. Examples of these include: Wind power, solar power, and biofuels. ADA also supports Green Building practices

ADA strongly opposes government handouts, tax breaks, and royalty holidays for the fossil fuel and nuclear power energy industries.

ADA calls on the President and Congress to move the United States and the world faster toward an energy efficient, renewable and environmentally sustainable, economically sound, socially equitable, politically responsive energy system. At the same time, we must focus on strong measures for conservation and mass transit to reduce significantly our nation’s energy needs. This requires strong federal regulation.

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No. 315 Energy, Environment and Economic Commission

State Legislative Activity

from the Progressive States Network

Drilling for Oil in New York City
Instead of looking in Alaska for a massive source of energy, look at New York City.

It doesn't look to most people like an oil geyser, but every day New York City residents consume just one-third of the gasoline used by other Americans and one-half of the residential energy use of a typical American. They drive fewer cars because of a well-developed mass transit system and their multi-unit buildings use less energy per household.

That adds up to the equivalent of between 221,000,000 to 296,000,000 barrels of oil saved per year by New York residents -- just a bit less than the 320,000,000 barrels per year that would be produced by the ANWR field in Alaska at its peak production. Just by its urban design, New York City is one of the most important energy sources in the country.

Blue and Green: So Happy Together
By doing his very best to destroy each group, Pres. Bush has succeeded in making allies of groups that were historically at odds with each other. Organized labor and environmentalist have joined together to work towards a "green future". Union leaders are realizing that a green economy not only addresses the issue of climate change but will also provide a great new source of well-paying manufacturing jobs, the kind that have been rapidly disappearing from the U.S. in recent years.

"Drill Now" Usual Rightwing Diversion from Real Energy Independence Policy

"Drill now" for oil off our state coasts may make for cute, well-polled political rhetoric, but it is sadly typical of the oil-industry-funded propaganda that has diverted attention from real energy solutions for decades. This particular campaign is the brainchild of Newt Gingrich, the former Speaker of the House of Representatives who resigned his office in disgrace, and now John McCain is aping Newt's rhetoric. Here's the reality of the proposal for offshore drilling:

Shooting the Moon
The Apollo Alliance, a top-notch partnership between conservationists and workers, has a new report concerning best practices on energy alternatives in the states. The practices are all real energy solutions that create jobs while helping clean the planet.

Renewable Energy Leadership in the States
In President Bush's State of the Union this year, he declared a need to wean America off its addiction to oil. But as the residents of Colorado learned, there's more to policy than mere pretty words.

States Sprint Past the Feds on Renewable Energy
By the time Congress gets around to trying to curb greenhouse gas emissions, the states will have already acted to eliminate 108 million metric tons of carbon dioxide a year and produce over 46,000 megawatts of renewable power by 2020.

Minnesota Embraces Renewable Energy

Arlington County Greens It Up
Through a series of energy efficiency and green energy measures, Arlington County, VA, is embarking on a goal to cut its global warming emissions by 10% over the next five years. Even better? Through utility bill savings, most of the program is revenue neutral.

FL: What the People Really Want -- A Progressive Agenda
A conservative leader in Florida's legislature hit upon a novel idea -- ask the people for ideas for better public policy. They got ideas, but the press may now want to follow-up to find out whether the leaders will actually move on the progressive agenda the people are petitioning for.