It is truly remarkable how far clean energy technology has come in the past few years -- from vast solar arrays in the Southwest to massive wind farms across the Great Plains.
But while clean technologies are poised to meet our future energy needs nationwide, the political will essential for accelerating their ramp-up is in short supply and leaders on the front lines need our help. Without new policies, most utilities will keep investing in the technologies of the past.
The American people have to come together and demand the switch to truly clean energy. Vice President Gore recently challenged America to get 100 percent of its electricity from clean, carbon-free sources in ten years. Now the "We" Campaign is taking that challenge nationwide.
Starting this week, we'll be running a new TV ad during NBC's coverage of the Olympics. It's called "Switch," and it features Americans of all backgrounds -- rural and urban, blue collar and white collar -- making the switch from fossil fuels to clean, renewable sources of energy by symbolically "turning on" a giant light switch. You can watch it at www.wecansolveit.org/switch.
We know that America's three great national challenges -- our economy, national security and climate change -- can all be addressed by switching to clean energy. The Olympics are a time when Americans are reminded that our ambition and hard work pay off at home and distinguish us around the globe. The same spirit must animate our efforts to embrace renewable energy.
Now is the time for people across the nation to embrace the idea of repowering America. Achieving 100 percent clean power in 10 years is both ambitious and attainable -- and making the switch has never been more important.