The transition to a clean energy economy will enhance the lives of all Americans.
How Does Clean Energy Benefit All Americans?
Clean energy is important because it has the power to enhance economic growth, support energy independence, and improve the health and well-being of the American people. The U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) is committed to leading the nation’s transition to a clean energy economy for these reasons.
What Is Clean Energy?
Renewable energy resources provide an affordable, reliable, and sustainable U.S. power supply—while also reducing the country’s greenhouse gas emissions. We can harness abundant domestic resources including wind energy, solar energy, bioenergy, geothermal energy, hydropower, and marine energy to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels. About 20% of all U.S. electricity now comes from renewable energy sources with 60% from fossil fuels like coal, petroleum, and natural gas, and the remainder from nuclear energy.
Why Do We Need Clean Energy?
Renewable power is not only cost-competitive; it’s also the most cost-effective source of energy in many situations, depending on the location and season. Still, we have more work to do both on the technologies themselves and on our nation’s electric system as a whole to achieve the U.S. climate goal of 100% carbon-pollution-free electricity by 2035.
EERE’s job is to give Americans access to the energy resources they want at a price they can afford with the infrastructure they can count on.
Select a topic below to learn more about why EERE believes in bringing clean energy and efficiency improvements to the American people.
Environmental Impacts
Renewable energy has fewer harmful environmental impacts than conventional energy does and can help combat the effects of climate change.
Energy Independence and Security
Adopting clean energy in the United States reduces the need to rely on other countries for energy resources and technologies, while also helping isolated communities support their own energy needs.
Job Creation and Growth
Clean energy research, innovation, and deployment creates jobs and supports the growth of American businesses.
Accessibility and Affordability
Providing all Americans with affordable clean energy, especially those in underserved and low-income communities, has an immediate and tangible impact on daily lives.
Energy Reliability
Using more renewable energy resources—solar, water, wind, geothermal, and bioenergy—and energy storage gives us more ways to keep the power on or bring it back after an outage.
Health and Safety
Transitioning to clean energy reduces air pollution, which can improve public health and lead to lower healthcare costs.
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM)
STEM education and expertise are building blocks of the clean energy workforce. Diversity in STEM ensures a variety of perspectives, which supports greater innovation and American competitiveness.
Domestic Manufacturing and Competitiveness
We need American-made clean energy technologies to provide the fastest, most effective, and most lucrative pathway to a sustainable power supply.
Resilience
A modern electric grid that incorporates renewable energy sources can support a reliable power supply under harsh weather, cyber threats, and dynamic grid conditions.
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