It was all about the future of energy at an event at the Center for American Progress here in DC Friday morning when CAP released their  new report:  “Regional Energy, National Solutions:  A Real Energy Vision for America”.  NWF authored the Midwest  and Southeast chapters of the report.

Enbridge’s Line 5 pipeline runs under the straits of Mackinac. Photo: MDOT Photo/Video Unit

Meanwhile, back at the event,  speakers including Rhode Island Governor Lincoln Chafee, described a diverse national clean energy strategy, built on the powerful energy, manufacturing and technology assets of regions across America.  Speakers and the report contrast this diverse clean energy plan to the American Petroleum Institute’s “Drill Baby Drill” vision: more oil and other fossil fuels.  Period.   That vision is conveniently simple.  The impacts, less so.

Fossil fuels play a large role in today’s economy, but we now know that the energy that powered the last two centuries comes with a side dish of volatile prices, environmental, health and safety risks, and it speeds climate change -which, by itself, threatens our economy, security, and sustaining the natural world for our children.

Fortunately, as Friday’s report describes, the energy world has changed.  Today we have a wealth of large scale opportunities that take energy, our economy, and the future of wildlife and our outdoor heritage forward together.  

Large scale clean energy implementation is happening across the country. Graphic: Center for American Progress

 Or, as NWF climate policy director, Joe Mendelson, said about last weeks pipeline “anomalies”:  “The best approach to our energy challenges isn’t building more pipelines, its embracing clean energy solutions that don’t spill or explode”

So whats really happening out there?

As we show in the report, states and regions all across the country are proving that they can prosper by implementing new energy technologies at scale. They show that a diverse national clean energy strategy anchored on strengths of the whole nation can build hundreds of thousands of jobs, and revitalize our economy. These solutions are real  and they may include some surprises:

• Offshore wind is the only utility-scale energy resource abundant enough to contribute substantially to the sustained, long-term energy demands of the Atlantic Coast region. Developing just 54 gigawatts of offshore wind in Atlantic waters would generate $200 billion in economic activity and create 43,000 permanent, well-paid technical jobs, in addition to displacing the annual output of 52 coal-fired power plants. (these regional bullets excerpted from CAP’s press release, and fact sheet)

NWF’s own recent report The Turning Point Atlantic Offshore Wind Energy underscores these results and emphasizes the diverse economic opportunities for states from Maine to Florida from robust adoption of offshore wind.  NWF was happy to join Clean Energy States Alliance who authored the Atlantic coast chapter of today’s report on their release.

Building the next generation of fuel efficient vehicles.  Photo: Sam VarnHagen/ Ford Motor Co.

• In addition to revitalizing American manufacturing, the deep oil savings from vehicles now being built in the Midwest under strong new fuel economy standards mean net savings to consumers of more than $54 billion a year in 2030 and will add 570,000 jobs to the economy.

• The Southeast boasts more firms across the high-tech smart-grid value chain than any other region and continuing to lead this transition offers the opportunity to create diverse job opportunities. At the same time, if [through enhanced efficiency], the region were to cut energy use across the region by 16 percent in 2030  consumers would see an annual savings of $71 billion and 520,000 jobs by 2030.

• In the Gulf Coast region, each $1 million in investment in ecosystem restoration can create as many as 36 jobs across a huge range of occupations and skill levels—more than equivalent investments in traditional infrastructure projects.
• The Mountain West boasts nearly unlimited renewable energy resources and these nonhydro projects, either under construction or in advanced development, represent 71,872 jobs. A study by Headwaters Economics found that from 1970–2010, nonmetropolitan counties in the West that had more than 30 percent protected federal lands increased jobs by 345 percent. Nonmetropolitan counties with no protected federal lands saw just 83 percent growth.
• The solar industry in California has experienced significant growth over the past 15 years. Since 1995 the number of solar businesses grew by 171 percent, and total employment jumped by 166 percent. As a point of comparison, the total number of California businesses has grown by 70 percent and employment increased by 12 percent.

These examples are not the only promising clean energy opportunities for the given regions, nor have we covered all the regions or promising technologies for the nation. But they clearly show a wealth of win-win energy opportunities in front of us that deliver to communities,  industries, and the environment across the country.  America’s energy strategy should start there.

Here’s the real story

Today’s headlines that start-up battery maker A123 would file for bankruptcy was quickly followed by news that major automotive and efficiency equipment supplier Johnson Controls would buy A123′s automotive business, complementing JCI’s existing investments in advanced battery facilities in Michigan and Ohio.  More on the details here.

As Alex Molinaroli, president, Johnson Controls Power Solutions said this morning:

“Our interest in A123 Systems is consistent with our long-term growth strategies and overall commitment to the development of the advanced battery industry.”

Update since this blog was published:  Johnson Control’s bid for A123 in October touched off a bidding contest with Wanxiang, the large Chinese auto parts manufacturer, Japan’s NEC, and others.  In January, 2013 Wanxiang was ultimately successful, winning approval to buy A123 for about $260M.  Wanxiang voiced a similar optimism around the future of the battery industry, and reiterated a commitment to the company’s US operations.

In other words, while pundits jumped in to score political points, clean energy investments just kept on trucking.

The new Ford C-Max plug-in hybrid EV gets a 100mpge rating from EPA and is built in Michigan. Photo: Ford Motor Co.

• DOE clean energy investments across some 15,000 projects in all 50 states are overwhelmingly successful
• In 2010 3.1 million Americans were employed in “green goods and services” as calculated by the Bureau of Labor statistics…. and that doesn’t even include most of the rapidly innovating auto industry
• Since mid 2009, the auto industry has added over 230,000 jobs as it retools to build and sell the next generation of far more fuel efficient vehicles
• Ohio has added nearly 10,000 auto and parts  manufacturing  jobs since July 2009. Indiana has added 20,000 and Michigan 33,000 in the same time period.
• Toledo Ohio alone has at least $1Billion in recent investment in clean energy and advanced vehicle technologies  including a$140M investment made by Johnson Controls in their start-stop advanced battery plant in Toledo that retains 400 jobs and adds 50 more.

The electric vehicle industry is real and growing.  Yes, like any new industry the EV industry has its growing pains and its winners and losers. But real cars require real batteries and a host of other technology shared with hybrid and advanced conventional vehicles that is creating a boom in automotive innovation and jobs .

• EV sales are growing rapidly – consumers are adopting EVs faster than they did the hybrid Prius when it was initally released.
• Volt sales are up 300% from last year, and the Volt is currently outselling half of all car models on the market.
• EVs are not just the Volt, the Leaf, and the Tesla, but include vehicles from Ford, BMW and others.  In fact, more than a dozen different electric vehicles will be offered next year.

Many of these vehicles, their components and batteries are being built across the US in states from California to Michigan to Tennessee, and are a part of hundreds of companies’ businesses plans.

They are also part of a clean energy transformation of the auto sector that shows that America has what it takes to combat climate change and spur an economic recovery at the same time.

98% success means that for every one Solyndra, there are forty nine stories like Ford’s Louisville Assembly Plant just an hour or two up the road from last night’s debate.                                                                                                                                                          

In fact, this DOE loan to Ford is actually 11 successes in five states that together support 33,000 jobs.  In addition, these successes unequivocally show that American companies and workers have what it takes to lead the world in building the innovative clean energy technologies that combat climate change.   

The retooled Louisville Assembly Plant celebrated in June. Photo: Sam VarnHagen/ Ford Motor Co.

Today in Louisville, the Ford Louisville Assembly Plant  is running at full capacity around the clock 7 days a week and employs 4600 workers. Ford made a $600 million investment in the plant, which added 1800 jobs in 2010 and another 1300 in 2011.   The “transformed” plant builds the redesigned and more efficient Ford Escape which is also on track to beat sales records.

 “Workers who once worried if they would even have a job here, are now working extra hours. “It really makes us feel good about our future,” says [plant] manager John Savona. “We are building vehicles that customers want.”

At the opening of the retooled plant in June, state and city leaders, the company and the union talked about how working with government and each other had resulted in a turnaround that delivered on innovation, to the community and to the economy.

Louisville’s story isn’t unique.  Not only have DOE investments saved or brought back tens of thousands of jobs and cut pollution, but they’re a direct investment in the success and competitiveness of American businesses large and small.    These successes are also supported by smart clean energy, fuel economy, and tax policies that create the certainty the private sector needs to invest in clean technologies of the future.  They build on world leading science and R&D in our National Labs, DOE programs that help companies commercialize cutting edge innovation in America, and Department of Commerce, programs that help small manufacturers develop the processes and skills to develop new businesses in rapidly growing clean energy fields.

 Strong demand for fuel efficient cars and trucks like the Escape is also driving job growth in the thousands of companies that make the innovative parts and components for these vehicles, cutting carbon pollution and pain at the pump.  

So let’s replace naysaying about American failures with the truth about Americans working together to succeed. With approximately 14700 successes to choose from, feel free to pick one near you.

We’re talking about it, we’re taking action…you’re talking about it, you’re taking action…so what about our government? Well, they talk about it…sometimes:

Graphic displaying the number of times representatives used the terms “climate change” and “clean energy” on the House and Senate floor over the past four years. Click on the picture to visit capitolwords.org.

With less than 72 hours to go before the first presidential debate, we are joining in the call to break the silence on climate. The upcoming debate is a perfect opportunity to really make some noise about our concern for this planet, and to push our politicians in the direction of clean energy.

Wednesday, October 3 is the first presidential debate in Denver, Colorado. It will air at 9 PM ET on a variety of basic and cable television networks, as well as online. In addition to coordinated online and “offline” actions between now and then, the Energy Action Coalition’s Power Vote campaign will be hosting an online live chat during the debate–your chance to engage with other green-minded young leaders watching the debate across the country, and to participate in coordinated actions to continuously push the message that the silence on climate will be broken. Check out their toolkit for hosting a debate watch, and make sure to register your event.

To turn your debate-watch gathering into a real party, make sure there are snacks, preferably of the patriotic variety. Uncle Sam ice cream cones, anyone?

Let the countdown begin!

Is your campus or eco-group hosting a debate watch party? Register the event! Can’t find an event near you? Host your own! Either way, join the online action. For more information, visit: http://www.powervote.org/breakthesilence 

We’ll be joining in the online fun, so send us a tweet during the debate and let us know your thoughts! @CampusEcology and @YouthforClimate 

Not on twitter? Like Campus Ecology on facebook and engage with us there.

Coalition delivers over 160,000 petition signatures to the offices of PBS NewsHour with Jim Lehrer

The petitions, signed by supporters of the National Wildlife Federation and eight partner organizations, including League of Conservation Voters, the Climate Reality Project, and Moms Clean Air Force–urge Jim Lehrer to ask the presidential candidates about their plans to deal with climate change.

On October 3, President Obama and Governor Romney will square off in the first of three presidential debates. The focus will be domestic policy issues, with candidates responding to questions on the most pressing challenges facing our nation.

It would be irresponsible if they failed to address climate change–one of the greatest threats to wildlife today.

Debate to be Held in State Suffering from Climate Change

Black bears  are going hungry from extreme droughts.

Black bears in Colorado–where the first debate will be held–are desperate to find food as heat and drought shrink their food supply, causing them to wander into towns and neighborhoods searching for sustenance.

In Colorado climate change is worsening droughts that led to a crop failure in 62 of the state’s 64 counties. As crops are failing, so are black bears’ woodland foods–serviceberries, chokecherries and acorns–that just can’t grow well enough in the heat, drought and wildfires.

Elections Coverage Must Address Climate Change

Despite the gravity of the climate challenges we face, the issue has been largely absent from television news and election coverage. Americans need to know that their leaders will work to protect wildlife and their habitats by fighting climate change.

“Voters want to know how the next president will work to solve the climate crisis that is knocking on the door today and staring our future generations right in the face,” said Joe Mendelson, Director of Climate and Energy Policy at National Wildlife Federation.

Share this image on your Facebook page, then post a message on the PBS NewsHour’s Facebook page telling presidential debate moderator Jim Lehrer you want him to “Ask a question about climate” http://www.facebook.com/newshour

Climate change must be part of the conversation. Americans deserve to know how the next president will deal with the nation’s most urgent environmental challenges.

Keep the Momentum Going

Post a comment on PBS NewsHour’s Facebook page urging Jim Lehrer to “Ask a question about climate.”

Then, share this forest fire image on your Facebook page to help more people urge Jim Lehrer to ask President Obama and Governor Romney to lay out their plans on climate change.