Sprawl in Atlanta has separated minorities from new jobs. The study mentioned above estimates that energy efficiency could actually cut national energy use from 2000 to 2020. Installing 3,000 MW of wind power in Texas would add just 75 cents to average family's monthly electric bills. 24 Wind, solar, biomass and geothermal technologies have all exceeded published expectations of cost reductions from 1975 to the present. Wind is the fastest growing energy source in the world, driven by efforts in Germany, Denmark and Spain.
Indian nations can even become exporters of green power, earn revenue, and create new jobs.
These Indian nations are located throughout the U.S. 26 Fuel cells provide power by cleanly processing hydrogen and oxygen to produce power, heat, and water. If a fuel cell user harnesses both power and heat, then fuel cells offer energy with lower emissions of nitrogen oxide and other regulated air pollutants than any large fossil fuel power plant. They also reduce emissions of volatile organic compounds and nitrogen oxide, two key contributors to smog, and of certain toxic chemicals such as benzene. 28 Fuel cells, solar photovoltaics, and other small clean energy technologies are relatively unobtrusive compared to large power plants. And if they are installed and maintained by local businesses and workers, they will contribute to new jobs and capital investments in communities.