The war in Iraq clearly dominated the debate as Americans voted this past November. But in many races, including some of the closest races in the country, the candidates’ stands on energy issues were also prominent factors.

Across the country and across the political spectrum, Americans realize the economic, environmental, public health and foreign policy implications of our over-reliance on oil, and the perils of our current energy path. Global warming and the need for high quality jobs at home add to the public’s sense of urgency about reducing our fossil fuel consumption and turning to homegrown clean energy solutions.

Yet, despite strong public support for clean energy, our nation’s leaders have done almost nothing to put us an on a cleaner, more secure energy path. Over the past five years, Congress and the Bush administration consistently rejected rational policies to reduce our reliance on oil and to encourage energy conservation and renewable energy, while protecting the interests of Big Oil and other energy powerhouses.

Solar water heaters, like the one pictured above left, can dramatically cut home fossil fuel consumption. (Photo: Spoinknet)

To get America on the right energy path, Environment California is calling on the 110th Congress to support policies for a New Energy Future, bringing greater energy independence, boosting industry, creating good jobs, revitalizing communities and cleaning up the environment.

To make sure that America employs its tools, its workforce, and its technological expertise toward this better future, we are calling on all members of Congress to support a four point platform that lays out a vision of reducing oil consumption, increasing renewable energy, and investing in the next wave of clean technologies.

Reduce our dependence on oil
First, we can and must reduce our dependence on oil by reducing our consumption by at least 7 million barrels per day by 2025. By building cars that go farther on a gallon of gas, giving Americans better transportation choices, and using clean, renewable fuels, we can slash our use of oil. California cities like Oakland are already leading the way. On October 17, the City Council unanimously passed a resolution setting up an 11-member task force to draft a plan for Oakland to become oil independent by 2020.

Harness clean energy sources
Second, we can and must harness clean, homegrown energy sources and get 25 percent of our nation’s energy from renewable sources by 2025. America has virtually limitless potential to take advantage of renewable energy to power our economy. The Great Plains has been called the “Saudi Arabia of wind” for its vast, high quality wind resource. Similar things have been said of California’s enormous solar power potential—the Million Solar Roofs Initiative is only the beginning of what’s possible here.

Replacing nearly 25 percent of our energy with renewable sources by 2025 would save half the amount of natural gas used in American homes, and cut the equivalent of 40 percent of the coal consumed in the U.S. in 2005. An expanded renewable energy industry would also create four to 11 times as many jobs as its fossil fuel counterpart.

Use 10 percent less energy in 2025
Third, we can and must use 10 percent less energy in 2025 that we use today. America has vast “strategic reserves” of energy efficiency. We can get most of the way to this goal with cost-effective technologies that exist today.

We can get the rest of the way by investing in tomorrow’s technologies such as “zero-energy” homes that virtually eliminate the need for fossil fuels and “green” commercial buildings that slice demand for energy by 25 to 40 percent or more.

Finally, we can and must invest in a New Energy Future by tripling investments in research and development funding for energy-saving and renewable technologies. Spending $3 billion per year on federal clean energy research development over the next decade would help us develop and commercialize the next wave of energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies. Projects could include developing the next wave of improvements in vehicle technology, investigating ways to store the energy created by wind and solar power, and finding the best ways to effectively use bio-fuels.

Achieving the goal of a New Energy Future will not be easy. America needs leaders who are up to the challenge. California’s 53 representatives, sent to Washington to change the direction of our country, can lead the charge.