Reid said the time is ripe for Congress to signal the importance of renewable energy and energy efficiency for our nation's future by including additional research and development funding in this year's budget package. What is lacking is a clear stamp of approval from Congress and the White House for a range of policies and funding to promote these environmentally friendly energy options. The Administration's proposed budget would cut many federal energy efficiency programs by 40 to 50 percent. Obviously, covering this area of Nevada with solar panels is not a practical answer to our current energy challenges. Our nation, which has just 5 percent of the world's population, produces nearly 25 percent of global CO2 emissions.
Renewable technologies can help to drive that percentage down.
The amount of heat energy that is sent up cooling towers, down rivers, and otherwise wasted is equivalent to Japan's total annual energy use. Prices have dropped 90 percent since 1980. As a result, electricity can now be generated more cheaply from wind than natural gas in the United States.