"The Army's mission is not to be green. Our mission is to defend the nation. In that context, we've found it's in our interest to develop sustainable projects."
-- Kevin Geiss, the Army's program director for energy security.
In this issue:
1) Take Action: Support President Obama's Call to Save Energy
2) Take Action: Remove Subsidies for Liquid Coal from Latest Tax Package
3) Energy Efficiency: South Could Save Billions
4) New Report: Federal Coal Subsidies
1) Take Action: Support President Obama's Call to Save Energy
Legislation is moving through the Senate right now that will help families and businesses retrofit their homes and buildings in order to cut pollution and slash their energy bills.
The rebate programs, called Home Star and Building Star, would put hundreds of thousands of Americans back to work retrofitting millions of homes and buildings. Congress just got back from Spring Break and will be considering this legislation soon.
Contact your Senator today and ask them to cosponsor Home Star and Building Star legislation.
2) Take Action: Remove Subsidies for Liquid Coal from Latest Tax Package
Next week, the Senate and the House of Representatives will vote on the final version of a tax package that extends tax credits for one of the dirtiest energy sources: liquid coal fuel.
Congress should not encourage investment in these antiquated fuels. We should invest in truly advanced, low-emission energy technologies that will move us away from our addiction to fossil fuels, help protect public health, and create good, green American jobs.
Ask Congress to remove subsidies for liquid coal from latest tax package.
3) Energy Efficiency: South Could Save Billions
Aggressive energy efficiency measures could create 380,000 new jobs in 16 southern states over the next 10 years. Such measures, focusing on residential, commercial and industrial sectors could also generate $41 billion in electric bill savings. These findings from researchers at Duke University and Georgia Institute of Technology were released in a report yesterday.
Check out the report for state by state break downs of the opportunities.
4) New Report: Federal Coal Subsidies
Another new report, this one out today from Synapse Energy Economics, identifies four key areas where billions in taxpayer dollars are still being used to fund the construction, expansion and life extension of coal-fired power plants.
The report comes just days before the G-20 meets in Washington, D.C. to discuss phasing out fossil fuel subsidies.