Top Ten Steps to Achieve 100% Clean Energy

by J.R. Tolbert

I know my title may sound like clickbait, which is normally not my style, but the Department of Energy issued a report last week on the ten steps we need to take to achieve 100% clean energy, and I think they’re important. I’m proud that Counterspark does work in regard to each of these steps. The steps are listed below along with information about how Counterspark is making an impact on each one.

Step One — Maintain the existing clean generation and storage fleet.

The scale of the energy transition is enormous. We have to replace all of the existing fossil fuels on the electric grid — 2,554 billion kWh in 2022 — with clean energy. To do this, we need to keep our existing clean energy online and working. We can’t afford to fight non-polluting resources on the way to a clean grid.

What we’re doing: Counterspark mobilized hundreds of people around the debt ceiling fight when House Republicans tried to attack tax incentives in the Inflation Reduction Act. This means attacking what we already have, and we proudly stood up to this attack.

Step Two — Rapidly increase deployment of established clean generation and storage technologies.

We have the technologies needed to achieve 100% clean energy, but we need to build and deploy those technologies. That means saying YES to clean energy in our communities and ensuring we have the ability to deliver that clean energy to our homes and businesses.

What we’re doing: Counterspark supports legislation to create more clean power and mobilizes constituents. One example is the POWER Act in Maryland, where we mobilized hundreds of supporters earlier this year. Because the bill passed, the state will create enough offshore wind energy to power millions more homes and businesses. We also encourage people to take advantage of tax credits and falling prices to invest in clean energy at home.

Step Three — Increase options for clean generation, storage, and carbon management technologies.

In 1985, Back to the Future envisioned flying cars fueled by garbage in the year 2015. We didn’t quite make that (though I’m still hoping one day). However, most of us hadn’t conceived of a future where all cars were electric, and now some states are setting goals of no gas-powered cars on the road by 2035. That’s innovation.

What we’re doing: We support innovations big and small to get to our clean energy future. Nevada has a bill in front of the state legislature right now that would help low-income individuals and families more easily access solar power. Not as big as electric cars, but still an innovative piece of legislation that can make a clean energy future accessible for more families.

Step Four — Plan and deploy enabling infrastructure.

We have to improve and expand the electric transmission infrastructure needed to deliver clean energy from where it’s harnessed to where it is needed. And we need to make sure that the system delivering energy to our homes and businesses is flexible enough to handle all of the new clean energy resources coming online. We’re going to have to build and deploy clean energy and delivery infrastructure to solve climate change.

What we’re doing: We supported the passage of Assembly Bill 2496 in Arizona. This legislation makes it easier to build transmission lines that are under a mile long– a big victory. Further, in the offshore wind action on our website currently, our pre-written letter encourages legislators to think of the infrastructure when writing a bill.

Step Five — Proactively invest in and engage with disadvantaged and energy communities to ensure the impacts and benefits of 100% clean power are distributed equitably.

For too long, rural and disenfranchised communities have borne the brunt of powering America. They’ve dealt with higher levels of pollution and their communities have suffered as a result. The communities impacted by the energy transition need to have a say in how we power our economy.

What we’re doing: In Colorado, we supported House Bill 1247, which directs the Colorado Energy Office to study technology solutions for rural communities. We’re committed to seeing those solutions delivered to those communities in upcoming legislative sessions.

Step Six — Augment planning, operations, and markets to enable 100% clean grids.

Like so much of our infrastructure, the electric grid is aging and needs maintenance and repair to help keep the lights on. State legislatures and regulators should prioritize efficiency in maintaining and growing the grid.

What we’re doing: At Counterspark, we’re helping build support for a regionalized grid in the western US. We’re mobilizing Californians in support of AB 538, which would allow California to collaborate with neighboring states on a regional grid. A better-connected grid in the West would deliver lower costs and more clean energy for families and businesses across the region.

Step Seven — Ensure system security and resiliency as new technologies and threats emerge.

The clean energy transition will decentralize the energy system. Rather than a few really big power plants, we’ll have hundreds of smaller plants and millions of homes and businesses powering our daily lives. This will make the grid more resilient as one storm or cyber-attack won’t be able take down the grid.

What we’re doing: Fossil fuels have failed to deliver for Texans in recent winter storms. Yet, elected officials in the state want to double down on legacy power solutions. Counterspark is fighting back and mobilized more than 1,300 Texans in support of clean energy solutions during this past legislative session.

Step Eight — Dramatically accelerate electric energy efficiency and demand flexibility.

Most of the energy we produce is never used. It is lost along the way from inefficient processes at the power plant, to losses along the power lines moving energy, and finally in leaky buildings. Improving how we move and use this energy could drastically reduce the amount of new energy needed to keep our economy growing.

What we’re doing: Counterspark is working to make sure that everyone knows about the funding available from the Inflation Reduction Act to reduce their energy consumption and utility bills through more efficient appliances such as cold weather heat pumps and induction stoves.

Step Nine — Strengthen domestic manufacturing capabilities and develop resistant and sustainable supply chains.

The transition to clean energy represents an opportunity to rebuild American manufacturing. In the same way America was the ‘Arsenal of Democracy’ during World War II, we can become the world’s clean energy manufacturing hub in this decade. Doing so will increase our energy security and speed the deployment of clean energy projects at home and abroad.

What we’re doing: Counterspark is working with allied groups to make the case on Capitol Hill for reforms that will ensure domestic supply chains and content for the technologies those manufacturers are building. We’re also pushing for greater recycling of all clean energy products to further reduce environmental impacts.

Step Ten — Equitably expand the US clean energy workforce.

Clean energy equals economic growth and hundreds of thousands of new jobs in every corner of the country. Those jobs should create economic opportunities for all Americans. We’ll need electricians, accountants, contractors, steelworkers, realtors, and so much more. The key is making those jobs accessible.

What we’re doing: Counterspark is working with allies to advance workforce development policy in states across the country, and we’re holding elected officials accountable when they pass on the benefits clean energy jobs bring to their states. When Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin rejected a battery plant for electric vehicles, we sprang into action asking Virginians to push Youngkin on his anti-clean energy agenda.

We’re committed to achieving an economy powered by 100% clean energy. If you want to get involved in making sure the country, and your state, are on track, join us today!