A new book titled 'Clean Economy Now: Stories from the Frontlines of an American Business Revolution' by Bob Keefe delves into the clean energy boom in the United States [3d5b0337]. The book highlights the economic opportunities and manufacturing renaissance happening in the heartland of America, with clean energy at its core. Keefe explores the growth projections for wind energy, solar energy, battery storage, and electric vehicles in the country. He takes readers on a tour of various states where clean energy projects are underway, including the transformation of an abandoned coal mine in West Virginia into a solar panel installation site. The book introduces readers to entrepreneurs, community leaders, and workers who are part of the clean energy industry and are driven by the purpose of addressing the climate crisis. Keefe also provides insights into the legislative backstory of the Inflation Reduction Act, which provides significant investments in climate and clean energy incentives. The book emphasizes the economic benefits of clean energy and the potential for a cleaner, more equitable, and prosperous future. Keefe's work is meticulously researched and includes extensive footnotes. It offers hope that the United States can meet the challenge of transitioning to clean energy and compete with foreign rivals in manufacturing the necessary technologies. The book dispels the myth that economic growth and sustainability are mutually exclusive and takes a bipartisan approach to the opportunities presented by the clean energy sector [3d5b0337].
The Business Council for Sustainable Energy (BCSE) and Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF) have released the Sustainable Energy 2024 Factbook, which highlights the progress of the U.S. energy transition [ec620eac]. The Factbook reveals that the clean energy transition is resilient, with technologies like carbon capture and storage and hydrogen expanding significantly. Renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, geothermal, and biomass are increasing on the grid, and there is a need to focus on both the supply and demand sides of the transition. Electric vehicle (EV) sales in the U.S. have surged by 50%, and there is a major focus on strengthening the domestic supply chain. Coal generation has declined, and there is a need to address the dependence on natural gas in the energy transition. The trends and investments outlined in the Factbook create a de facto U.S. energy strategy focused on practical decarbonization.
The book by Bob Keefe and the Sustainable Energy 2024 Factbook provide complementary perspectives on the clean energy boom and the progress of the U.S. energy transition. Keefe's book offers a human-centered narrative, showcasing the economic opportunities and stories of individuals involved in the clean energy industry. The Factbook, on the other hand, provides a comprehensive overview of the trends, technologies, and investments driving the energy transition in the United States. Together, these sources paint a picture of a thriving clean energy sector that is reshaping the American economy and working towards a sustainable future.