What does the American Climate Contract look like in action?

Energy Innovation

Developing an Innovative Energy Portfolio

The energy sector is responsible for 27% of U.S. CO2 emissions. While it has seen significant emission reductions over the last decade, the U.S. can build on this momentum by investing in a diverse set of energy technologies and resources while fostering competition. This strategy will ensure access to clean, affordable energy for all.

• Expand energy research to deploy affordable, emission-reducing energy technologies. The U.S. leads the world in research, design, and development of clean energy technology. The work conducted at America’s research labs is crucial to growing the green economy. In order to reduce the costs of breakthrough energy technologies and expand the global deployment of U.S. technology, we must invest in our national research labs.

• Expand nuclear energy, the United States’ largest source of carbon-free power. We must develop policies that will reduce the regulatory burden, spur investment in new plants, and ensure access to safe, abundant fuel for America’s nuclear reactors.

• Deploy Carbon Capture and Sequestration technology. Carbon Capture and Sequestration is used in factories and energy plants to scrub carbon from the exhaust, resulting in lower, or net-zero emissions. Carbon is then stored underground or used for enhanced oil recovery. Deploying CCS will make our existing energy portfolio cleaner. 

• Allow consumers to choose clean energy by opening up energy  markets. Deregulating state energy markets will introduce competition and give consumers the freedom to buy cleaner energy. Competitive energy markets in states like Texas have led to more freedom, a boom in clean energy, and lower energy costs for consumers. 

• Expand public-private partnerships to commercialize and export affordable clean energy and energy efficiency technologies. Public-private partnerships are when companies work with the government on challenges that are difficult to address for one sector alone. The Department of Energy, for example, allows National Laboratories to work with private companies on developing and deploying next generation energy technologies. 

21st Century Infrastructure

The United States must modernize its infrastructure to improve energy efficiency, integrate emissions-cutting technologies, and ensure communities are prepared for the effects of climate change. By building more modern and resilient energy and transportation infrastructure, the U.S. will see a boom in economic growth as well as lower emissions.

• Broaden the use of renewables by modernizing the energy grid. Deploying  smart grid technology, for example, will help the aging energy grid incorporate localized sources such as rooftop solar.

• Expand battery storage capabilities to accelerate renewable energy growth. A challenge for renewable energy is the difficulty of storing energy from intermittent sources like wind and hydro plants. Targeted investment in battery technology from both the public and private sectors will unlock the potential of renewable energy.

• Promote low and zero-emission transportation solutions.  Transportation is now the largest source of CO2 emissions in the U.S. In order to reduce emissions, it is important to invest in technology research and modern transportation infrastructure. This will require federal action, but also state-level leadership. 

• Grow pipeline infrastructure. Pipelines are the safest and least carbon-intensive way to transport natural gas. The shale revolution has led to American energy independence and lowered emissions as natural gas has replaced coal as a source of energy in many communities. Expanding pipelines will further reduce emissions and expand access to affordable energy.

• States like Texas have experienced increased droughts, followed by flooding due to climate change. During droughts, water stored underground in aquifers is depleted. To combat water shortages, states should invest in innovative flood control infrastructure such as stormwater banking. This practice stores excess storm water in the aquifers for agricultural and public use during droughts.

Natural Solutions

Restoring and investing in America’s wetlands, forests, and coastal ecosystems will increase resilience to natural disasters and expand natural systems’ ability to absorb atmospheric carbon. By working collaboratively with farmers, sportsmen, and landowners, we can protect America’s beauty and curb the effects of climate change.   

• Grow our forests. Trees are natural carbon sinks, meaning that they absorb carbon dioxide from the air and release oxygen. The world’s tropical forests alone absorb 1.4 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide a year. Additionally, wood products like chairs and tables store the sequestered carbon. Sustainable and market-oriented forestry will grow natural carbon sinks and provide the resources for green products like cross-laminated timber. 

• Implement active forest management practices to prevent future catastrophes. Climate change has led to an uptick in droughts and in turn, wildfires. Forests need more active management practices centered around the prevention of fires. By doing this, lives will be saved, wildlife will be protected, and we will save billions of taxpayer dollars. Active forest management involves brush clearing, thinning out dry and dead trees, and controlled burns that keep fires contained and renourish the soil for new, healthy forests to grow.

• Build up our blue carbon ecosystems. Blue carbon is carbon stored in marine plants and sediments. Our coastal and marine ecosystems are natural carbon sinks and crucial to reducing the amount of carbon in the atmosphere. In order to effectively combat climate change, marine habitats must be restored and protected.

• Restore our wetlands. Wetlands not only absorb carbon dioxide, but they also serve as natural flood controls by holding excess water. This helps communities threatened by climate change in times of heavy rain or natural disasters. By working to restore our wetlands, we can better mitigate the effects of climate change while also expanding valuable wildlife habitat.

• Scale up sustainable farming practices.  The farmers who put food on our tables are also crucial allies in the fight against climate change. By expanding broadband access in rural communities, incentivizing efficient irrigation, and using more advanced farming equipment, the U.S. can reduce agricultural CO2 emissions.

• Encourage better public and private land management practices that sequester carbon and better support our wildlife. By implementing smarter conservation strategies, we can fight climate change and protect America’s beautiful landscapes.

Global Engagement

Climate change is fundamentally a global problem. Fully addressing climate change will require global emission reductions. The U.S. accounts for less than 15% of global greenhouse gas emissions. That means we can’t solve this problem alone. An effective response to climate change means expanding opportunities to create economic prosperity while lowering emissions around the world. 

• Success in the fight against climate change will require the United States to have a coherent plan at home. 

• Deploy emissions-reducing technologies and resources globally. Exporting American-made technologies like electric vehicles and low emission sources of energy like natural gas will create economic prosperity and reduce global emissions. 

• Work collaboratively with partner nations to develop adaptation practices and establish shared climate change goals. 

• Help developing nations create economic opportunity while integrating environmental sustainability. The world’s poorest people suffer disproportionately from climate change. Addressing climate change will require working with developing nations to create economic and environmental sustainability. 

• Expand trade and lower barriers to global economic growth. Free trade will increase the deployment of affordable,  green technologies around the world.