Anonymous,

Like a lot of people concerned about global warming, I try to do my part by reducing my own energy use -- driving less, using energy efficient light bulbs and appliances, etc.

But I know as well as you do that I'm not going to single-handedly solve the climate crisis by biking to the office. Even the growing number of states that have committed to 100 percent renewable energy, as huge a step in the right direction as that is, won't get us all the way to where we need to be. If we're going to avoid the worst of global warming, the whole nation needs to act together.

A new bill in the U.S. Senate, the Renewable Electricity Standard Act of 2019, would put the U.S. on track to get at least half our electricity from renewable sources by 2035. Ask your senators to support it today.

The Renewable Electricity Standard Act would require each state in the country to generate a minimum amount of its electricity from renewable sources, then increase that amount gradually over the next 15 years. By 2035, according to projections, the U.S. would be running on 50 percent renewable electricity, providing a strong foundation for transition to 100 percent clean energy nationwide.1

It's never been more urgent that we take bold action to reduce our emissions. The level of greenhouse gasses in the Earth's atmosphere is higher than at any point in recorded history.2 Droughts, wildfires and extreme weather batter us each year.

At the same time, a country -- and world -- that runs on renewable energy has never been more within reach. We have the capacity to meet nearly all our energy needs with wind and solar power alone.3

And the technology keeps getting better and less expensive. In just the last 10 years, wind power in America has grown fivefold, and solar power has grown 39-fold.4

The renewable energy future we need is within our reach if we act boldly. Join the call to pass the RES Act.

Cities and states are already leading the way on clean energy. Let's pass the RES Act to help bring the rest of the country along.

Thank you for making it all possible.

Sincerely,

Jeanne Bassett
Senior Associate

1. "Senate bill requires states and utilities to increase renewable power," Environment America, June 26, 2019.
2. Robert Kunzig, "Climate Milestone: Earth's CO2 Level Passes 400 ppm," National Geographic, March 29, 2019.
3. John Abraham, "Study: wind and solar can power most of the United States," The Guardian, March 26, 2018.
4. "Renewables on the Rise," Environment America Research & Policy Center, accessed July 9, 2019.