Clean Power Comes on Strong
Frequently Asked Questions
Why aren't we using more renewable energy today?
Manyeconomic and political barriers keep renewable energy from realizing its full potential. Huge tax subsidies — along with heavy researchand development funding — for polluting power sources like coal, oil, and nuclear have far outweighed investments in clean, renewable energy, giving a huge advantage to polluting technologies.
Market barriers also exist that make it difficult and costly for renewable energy sources to connect to the electricity grid and transmit their power to customers. But these barriers can be overcome. In states where supportive policies have been enacted, renewable energy has flourished.
Are there downsides to wind power?
Some birds are killed by flying into wind turbines. Unfortunately, this is a problem with many tall structures like buildings and cell phone towers. For instance, cell-phone towers are responsible for double the bird mortality attributed to wind turbines.The most important step wind energy developers can take to address this concern is to properly site wind turbines in areas where they will not pose a threat to birds. Responsible siting of wind turbines can also mitigate the visual impacts of wind development.
The far greater threat to birds and other wildlife comes from neglecting our responsibility to combat global warming. Global warming could shift whole species of birds north, causing a loss of songbirds here in the United States and potentially making it more difficult for these species to survive. Appropriately sited wind turbines and other renewable energy sources will play a pivotal role in curbing global warming and protecting natural habitats.
Is renewable energy reliable?
The advanced technology of wind turbines and solar panels allows them to produce substantial amounts of electricity even on days with soft winds or little sunshine. As a source of home-grown energy, renewable energy helps diversify and decentralize our electricity mix, making it more secure.
Are hydropower and nuclear power renewable?
The Sierra Club supports renewable energy sources that can be harnessed with minimal harm to the environment. Large hydropower facilities can be extremely damaging to surrounding habitats and destructive to species that live in them. The Sierra Club does support increasing the efficiency of existing hydropower facilities. Nuclear power produces huge amounts of highly
radioactive waste that is dangerous for tens of thousands of years.
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