The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee continues its Energy Policy Act implementation hearings today with a discussion of the bill’s impact on fuel cell research and development in the United States.
The Energy Policy Act (EPAct) of 2005 contains provisions to encourage growth in the fuel cell field. Fuel cells create energy that dramatically improves both efficiency and detrimental environmental impacts. Currently, fuel cells are only in limited use in the United States — mainly power plants providing electricity to small industrial sites.
In multiple reports, the Center for American Progress has urged the federal government to unite with citizens, business, and environmental groups to reshape the energy landscape in order to create a stronger economy, a safer world, and a cleaner environment. The Energy Policy Act of 2005 begins to promote change, but further advancement is necessary in order to make sustainable progress. Four broad goals should be the cornerstones of America’s energy future:
- Dramatically reducing oil consumption by the transportation sector, which accounts for about two-thirds of the oil Americans use;
- Enhancing domestic energy supplies by making more significant investments in clean, renewable energy sources;
- Better use of current energy sources by adopting efficient technologies, modernizing the energy grid, and promoting energy research in order to reduce costs for consumers and business; and
- Reasserting American leadership on climate change by teaming up with allies such as Great Britain to limit emissions, and provide incentives to developing countries to join the effort.
The Center for American Progress has done extensive research in these policy areas. Many of our proposals are now under consideration in the Senate. As the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee meets tomorrow, we urge them to consider the Energy Policy Act the first step in a longer, deeper push to create a sustainable energy future.
For more in-depth policy suggestions, see: