New Report: Greenpeace Energy Blueprint Shows How Existing Alternatives to Fossil Fuels Will Revolutionize a Broken Energy Economy

WASHINGTON, June 9 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In the midst of the intractable crisis caused by the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, it is time to stop investing in a broken energy economy and seize the opportunity to invest in a sustainable energy future, according to the environmental group Greenpeace. The way forward is illustrated in "Energy [R]evolution: A Sustainable USA Energy Outlook," one of the most comprehensive plans for future production and distribution of sustainable energy systems launched today by Greenpeace and the European Renewable Energy Council (EREC).

The report provides a detailed practical blueprint for cutting carbon emissions while achieving economic growth by replacing fossil fuels with renewable energy and energy efficiency. This phase-out of fossil fuels offers substantial benefits such as energy security, independence from world market fuel prices, and reduction in pollution-related illnesses.

"President Obama said Tuesday he wanted to know 'whose ass to kick' over the Gulf oil spill: The answer is everyone - the oil giants, King Coal, Senators like Lisa Murkowski, his staff, and himself – because they all, due to a lack of vision or a bank account of corporate contributions, have not led the way for the energy revolution that this moment now demands. Enough is enough," said Phil Radford, Greenpeace USA Executive Director.

The Energy [R]evolution shows how by 2050 renewable energy sources could provide around 96% of electricity produced in the USA and 98% of our total heating demand, accounting for around 88% of our overall primary energy demand.  The blueprint would create about 1.1 million jobs in the renewables sector alone, by 2030.  The total fuel cost savings in the scenario described could reach a total of $7.4 trillion, or $173 billion per year.

The scenarios in the Energy [R]evolution can begin by supporting policies that promote energy efficiency in building design and transportation, and transition to the use of renewable energy resources and away from reliance on coal, nuclear, and oil.  The sustainable future of the planet is rooted in the investment in people and local communities who can install and maintain renewable energy sources, rather than further subsidizing dirty and finite fossil fuels.

Despite the costs of the US reliance on fossil fuels, the US Senate is scheduled to consider a proposal tomorrow from Senator Lisa Murkowski that would protect oil companies and other big polluters from regulation under the Clean Air Act.

"Our Energy [R]evolution scenario shows how to eliminate unpredictable fossil fuel costs, destructive mining and oil exploration and with it catastrophes such as the current BP Gulf oil spill," said Sven Teske, Greenpeace International's Senior Energy Expert and co-author of the report. "Investing in people, rather than dirty and dangerous fossil fuels not only boosts global economic development but stems catastrophic climate change."

Copies of the "Energy [R]evolution: A Sustainable World Energy Outlook" report can be downloaded at: http://www.greenpeace.org/energy-revolution  

SOURCE Greenpeace