GAS MILEAGE—We can move America toward a new energy future by reducing our dependence on foreign oil with advanced technologies like hybrid cars, like the one pictured. In fact, cars already exist that go 100 miles on a gallon of gas.

The technological capacity to fix many environmental problems already exists. For example, we already have the technical know-how to begin to address global warming, our dependence on foreign oil and high gas prices.

By reducing the amount of global warming pollution we emit, we can slow and eventually stop the worst effects of global warming. Through high-performance homes and buildings and the use of homegrown, renewable energy, we can curb our dependence on foreign oil. And by increasing fuel economy standards for cars and trucks, we can pay less at the pump.

But without a clear plan and a national commitment to these solutions, we’ll continue to suffer from energy problems.

That’s why U.S. PIRG launched the New Energy Future campaign. To address the root cause of many environmental problems, you have to start with energy. Our advocates and researchers charted a path that will lead to a new energy future, if the path is followed by our national leadership.

Our platform is made of four planks:

•Reduce our dependence on oil by saving one-third of the oil we use today by 2025 (7 million barrels per day). Through improved gas mileage, better transportation choices and clean fuels, we could easily save more than twice the amount of oil we import from the Persian Gulf.

• Harness clean, renewable, homegrown energy sources like wind, solar and farm-based bio-fuels for at least a quarter of all energy needs by 2025. America has virtually limitless potential to generate electricity from renewable energy sources such as wind power and solar power. In fact, the wind that blows through America’s plains is enough to meet the electricity needs of the entire country. We also can power our cars with renewable energy by using bio-fuels such as switchgrass and agricultural by-products.

• Save energy with high-performance homes, buildings and appliances so that by 2025 we use 10 percent less energy than we do today. Dramatic improvements in energy efficiency are possible in virtually every aspect of American life. By building homes and offices that use less energy and improving the efficiency of appliances and industrial equipment, we can transform the way we consume energy.

• Invest in a New Energy Future. By committing $30 billion over the next 10 years to the New Energy for America Initiative, we could triple research and development funding for the energy-saving and renewable technologies we need to achieve these goals.

U.S. PIRG was joined by Natural Resources Defense Council, United Steelworkers, the Consumer Federation of America, Republicans for Environmental Protection, the Center for American Progress and Sierra Club in launching the campaign. To find out more, take action, or see the status of pending legislation, go to our Web site, www.uspirg.org.