Innovate Manufacture Compete A Clean Energy Action Plan

The clean energy industry is gathering momentum around the world. Innovation and investment are helping to reduce the cost of solar, wind, and other emerging technologies. Countries and companies are working to harness the economic opportunity associated with these new products, and deployment of clean energy technologies is accelerating globally.

In the United States, however, the outlook is less positive. Although the global future of clean energy is bright, the U.S. position in this emerging sector is beset by uncertainty. America is no longer the clean energy superpower, and its position in innovation, manufacturing, and deployment is challenged as never before. Clean energy initiatives supported by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act have expired, and other policies require urgent attention.

The Pew Charitable Trusts believes that advanced clean energy technologies can strengthen America’s economic and environmental future as well as its security. Pew’s research in recent years indicates that clean energy helps create employment, manufacturing, and export opportunities while reducing the pollution and risks associated with current energy patterns and technologies. To reclaim a leadership position in the worldwide competition, the public and private sectors in the United States must work together to strengthen the clean energy industry.