Consumers Union campaign "A Greener Future" is working for clean, renewable, affordable energy.
Renewables
Renewable energy, such as wind, solar and hydro, reduces our dependence on fossil fuels. The more energy we get through renewables, the less pollution we emit, leading to healthier people and a healthier planet.
Press Releases
- CU urges House members to oppose H.R. 910
House measure would likely wind up costing consumers money by increasing oil consumption and increasing public harm from pollution
- Organizations Urge Congress to Uphold the Clean Air Act
For Immediate Release April 4, 2011 Organizations Urge Congress to Uphold the Clean Air Act Health, Consumer and Business groups to Congress: This is a matter of life or death for tens of thousands of Americans WASHINGTON, D.C. – A coalition of nearly 500 organizations concerned about congressional proposals to weaken the Clean Air Act Continue Reading
- Californians Reject Prop 23; Uphold State’s Landmark Clean Energy Law
WASHINGTON, D.C. – California voters rejected Proposition 23 on the ballot on election day, turning away an oil industry-sponsored challenge to the state’s landmark clean energy law. The vote in California demonstrates strong public support for moving towards a cleaner energy future and adds momentum to state efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, according to Continue Reading
- Consumers Union Opposes California's Proposition 23
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – Consumers Union, the nonprofit publisher of Consumer Reports, is urging California voters to reject California Prop 23. The consumer group says that Prop 23, which is sponsored by Texas oil companies and would effectively repeal California’s landmark clean energy and emissions law, is a bad deal for the state. “Big oil Continue Reading
Blog Posts
- Is Your State or City Among the Cleanest in the Nation?
Clean Edge has released the results for its Clean Energy Leadership Index, comparing which states and major cities are leading the way in terms of clean energy technology usage. Out of all the states, California was ranked first among all states by a “wide margin” according to the report. State performance was evaluated on Continue Reading
- The new normal: energy report predicts volatility, elevated commodity prices here to stay
Nominal energy prices have increased 260 percent since 2000, according to a new report issued by the consulting firm McKinsey & Company. The firm warns that many commodities have a new price floor, while economic pressures are increasing the volatility of the resource market. The report serves as an important reminder that alternative energy sources Continue Reading
- Air pollution and asthma: new e-book gives practical tips and ways to take action
Despite the enormous progress resulting from the Clean Air Act, the air is still filled with pollutants that result in the occurrence of asthma in almost 26 million Americas. Asthma is a chronic lung disease—the most common chronic disease effecting children today. It is a growing epidemic, already threatening the health of approximately 7 million Continue Reading
- Where do we go from here on climate change?
Super Storm Sandy forced climate change into the headlines, and the President highlighted its urgency in the State of the Union address. But most people have watched the figurative climate storm brewing for awhile. Last year was the hottest year on record in the United States, and from the near-record low levels on the Mississippi Continue Reading
- Check out your region and state’s utility mix
Want to look up your local air and water quality and energy mix? Check out EPA’s MyEnvironment tool. For real time air quality updates, check out the EPA’s AirNow app.
- Broad Range of Stakeholders Call on Governors to Improve Successful Clean Energy and Anti-Pollution Program
Broad Range of Stakeholders Call on Governors to Improve Successful Clean Energy and Anti-Pollution Program Strengthening Regional Emissions System Would Build on Clean Energy Progress to Date More than 300 organizations, businesses, and officials called on Northeast and Mid-Atlantic governors to build on progress reducing pollution and promoting clean energy by improving the Continue Reading
- Re-evaluating nuclear power
As Japan struggles in the wake of a tripartite disaster to cope with the tragic loss of human life and suffering and to try protect people from further harm, our thoughts and deepest sympathies go out to the Japanese people. Emergency relief and utility workers are working around the clock to clear debris, find missing Continue Reading
- Bill turns back the clock on energy-saving and anti-pollution efforts
H.R. 910, which would weaken the Clean Air Act, has passed the House Energy & Commerce committee and is headed for the House floor soon. The bill would strip the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) authority over carbon pollution for both industrial sources and cars. This measure would harm our nation’s efforts to reduce its dependence Continue Reading
- The battle over clean energy — going on now
The battle over more clean energy and less dependence on fossil fuels is being fought right now in Congress – though you might not have heard much about it. In January, the President laid down a national challenge that 80 percent of our electricity come from cleaner sources by 2035. His just-released budget shows a Continue Reading
- California Voters Uphold Clean Air Law!
Thanks to you, clean energy scored a BIG victory last night! Yesterday, California voters overwhelmingly defeated Prop 23, the dirty energy ballot measure supported by Texas oil companies. The unofficial tally was 61% to 39% against Prop 23 – which would have suspended California’s clean air and clean energy law. You helped win this. Thousands Continue Reading
News Articles
- How Do Your City and State's Air Quality Rank?
State of the Air 2012 The American Lung Association’s (ALA) latest State of the Air Report indicates that air quality has improved for millions of Americans, but there is still work to be done to make our air safe to breathe in many communities across the country. ALA’s interactive website has a handy tool Continue Reading
- Californians Reject Prop 23; Uphold State’s Landmark Clean Energy Law Source: Consumers Union (Wednesday November 3, 2010)
California voters rejected Proposition 23 on the ballot on election day, turning away an oil industry-sponsored challenge to the state’s landmark clean energy law. The vote in California demonstrates strong public support for moving towards a cleaner energy future and adds momentum to state efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
- Grassroots 'No On Prop 23' Campaign Poised to Defeat Big Oil Source: Huffington Post (Tuesday November 2, 2010)
After months of message wars between progressive grassroots organizations and big oil companies over Proposition 23, the ballot measure to suspend California’s landmark global warming legislation in the name of job creation, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger took a jab at the bill last night that may have put the final nail in its coffin.
- Wash Post editorial: California's dirty energy prop Source: Washington Post (Sunday October 31, 2010)
IT’S NOT Plan A, B or even C, but if Congress continues to do nothing on climate change, environmentalists can at least take heart that some states are planning to cut greenhouse emissions on their own. As usual on such issues, California leads the way, with a robust greenhouse gas law.
- Poll shows dead heat among voters on Prop 23 Source: Los Angeles Times (Friday September 24, 2010)
California voters believe global warming is a significant issue and are inclined to trust scientific views on the subject, but they remain closely divided on a November ballot measure that would suspend the state’s global warming statute, according to a new Los Angeles Times/University of Southern California poll.
- George Shultz: Clean air law is key to our future Source: Sacramento Bee (Saturday September 25, 2010)
California’s vision of a cleaner environment and reduced dependence on foreign oil and dirty fuels is now under attack. Make no mistake: Proposition 23 seeks to derail our future through a process of indefinite postponement of our state’s clean energy and clean air standards.
- Consumers Union's perspective: Prop 23 bad for consumers Source: Pasadena Star-News (Friday October 15, 2010)
Oil companies would like you to believe that what’s bad for big oil is bad for consumers. Don’t buy it. For years, the oil industry has peddled false choices: Low gas prices or cleaner air? Jobs or public health?
- The Terminator vs. Big Oil Source: New York Times (Tuesday October 5, 2010)
The Terminator, a k a the Governator, is not happy. And you shouldn’t be either.
- Sac Bee: Prop 23 deserves to go down in disgrace Source: Sacramento Bee (Sunday September 26, 2010)
If Prop 23 passes, it would also send a positive signal to out-of-state companies who might want to reach into California and overturn all kinds of state laws – ranging from consumer protection to insurance regulation.
- Schwarzenegger defends climate law; slams Texans Source: San Francisco Chronicle (Tuesday September 28, 2010)
Governor likens Prop 23 campaign to a shell game hiding what he said was the real purpose: “self-serving greed.”
Consumer Reports
Energy Saving and Green Living Guide
(Consumer Reports)- News: Energy Efficiency (Consumer Reports)
- Test your energy IQ (Consumer Reports, Oct 2012)