Alternative Energy
The build-up of greenhouse gasses in our atmosphere are causing global
warming and climate changes which are already taking a toll on our planet. The biggest contributor to the greenhouse
effect is the carbon dioxide (CO2) which is a by-product produced by burning
fossil fuels, such as coal, to produce electricity. Half of the electricity generated in the
United States is from burning coal.
While coal is cheap, it is a non-renewable resource that is destroying
our planet.
According to the US Department of Energy, the United States spends over 500
billion dollars annually on energy.
While we work to conserve the energy we use, we must continue to search for
alternatives to power our ever-growing power needs.
Viable alternatives include: wind, solar, hydro, biofuels, geothermal and
more. We must allocate resources to
research these and other clean and abundant alternatives. We support the
Environmental Protection Agency's role in regulating fossil fuel emissions and developing
sustainable sources of energy.
How You Can Help
The Union of Concerned Scientists urges us to take action by
sending
a message to President Obama and Director of the White House Office of Energy and
Climate Policy, Carol Browner asking for their leadership on
the path to cleaner energy.
Most power companies offer options for using alternative sources for
energy. In Iowa, Alliant Energy
customers can participate in the "
Second
Nature" program in which supports electricity generated from renewable
resources. Customers elect to have 25,
50 or 100% of their power come from alternative energy that Alliant obtains
from a landfill gas facility, an anaerobic digester, solar and wind farms. Programs start at an additional $4 per month.
Internet Resources
The
mission of this state organization is "to achieve a clean and sustainable
energy future by providing leadership through education, research, planning,
and investment, and developing policies and resources to produce market
transformation."
