THE Clean Energy CHALLENGE
The above proclamations from Presidents Bush and Obama underscore the importance of “clean energy” and the need for a "clean energy revolution." Clean energy, a subset of the larger clean technology industry, is essentially energy that is produced without consuming fossil fuels (i.e., solar, wind, thermal, and nuclear energy). It generally includes all forms of renewable energy and clean transportation. It also includes the efficient utilization, distribution, and end-uses of clean energy ranging from smart electrical grids to green building applications.
Our recent Presidents have challenged America to lead the emerging global clean energy revolution because it is critical to helping us meet current and future challenges faced by our country including economic recovery and growth, national security threats related to dependence on foreign oil, and global warming. Given an anticipated increase in global energy demand of 50% or more by 2030, the countries that develop new clean energy technologies the quickest will have significant economic, political and other competitive advantages. Unfortunately, America is presently being outpaced by other nations who have more supportive policy frameworks and greater investment commitments.
In order to better position the United States to lead this clean energy revolution, it will require the type of “American ingenuity” and “creative genius of American researchers and entrepreneurs” advocated by our nation’s presidents. In response to this challenge, the National Institute of Clean Energy (NICE ) was formed.
