Environmental Solutions
America spent well more than $100 billion and more than a decade on the Apollo space program to put a man on the moon.
America’s search for energy security and carbon solutions deserves just as great of a national initiative. This path is supported by the majority of Americans.
Clean Coal Must Be
Commercially Deployed
Clean coal, technology and willpower are central to meeting growing energy needs and achieving continuing environmental improvement. Pursuing energy independence and tackling climate concerns are compatible goals and should be based on a balanced approach that will:
- Promote increases in efficiencies to reduce the energy input needed for electricity generation
- Develop a better understanding of the natural ecosystem’s ability to absorb carbon through plant life that serves as carbon absorbing sinks
- Advance commercialization of technologies to capture and store carbon dioxide
Harris Poll: Americans View Energy Independence as a Top Priority
Energy Security and Clean Coal Technologies |
...NOT Carbon Caps |
Which issue facing America is more pressing? Energy Independence: 53% America has the most coal reserves in the world -- more than 250 years at current rates -- and coal can be turned into electricity, natural gas and transportation fuels. Knowing this, do you agree or disagree with the following statement: We should use more coal to improve our energy independence. Yes: 66% No: 29% |
America should aggressively develop commercial technologies that allow us to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, rather than passing carbon dioxide laws that could damage the economy. Agree: 76% Disagree: 17% Do you support limits or taxes on carbon dioxide emissions even if these limits drive up your energy costs and put Americans out of work? Disagree: 66% Agree: 28% |
The American people want an aggressive technology path to achieve energy security. They support using more clean coal, and support pursuing carbon technologies versus carbon caps. A 2007 Harris poll shows that 53 percent of Americans place concerns about energy independence ahead of global warming (53% to 40%).
- Sixty-six percent of Americans believe the United States should use more coal to improve our energy independence (66% to 29%).
- More than three-quarters of Americans support aggressive development and deployment of commercial technologies that allow the United States to reduce carbon dioxide emissions rather than pass CO2 laws that could damage the economy (76% to 17%).
- Sixty-six percent of Americans believe that we should avoid limits or taxes on CO2 emissions that drive up energy costs and put Americans out of work (66% to 28%).