Why Clean Energy is Important: Overview
Clean energy has many benefits for the environment, fuel supply and reliability, and the economy, particularly when compared with the current heavy use of fossil fuels for electricity generation. Because of these benefits, clean energy is being developed more than ever before.
Environment and Health
Fossil fuels produce emissions that pollute the air we breathe and altering climate patterns over the long term. The use of fossil fuels in electricity production is a leading cause of these global climate change and air quality problems. On the other hand, clean energy technologies produce no emissions, with the exception of biomass which still produces significantly fewer emissions than fossil fuels. As a result, increased use of clean energy benefits the global environment and local human health.
Clean energy technologies also rely on renewable fuel sources, like the sun, wind, and replenishable forest products. Using these sources in place of fossil fuels and nuclear energy reduces the depletion of natural resources and the creation of both toxic and non-toxic wastes.
The environmental benefits of clean energy are widely recognized. Learn more about the environmental problems caused by fossil fuels and how clean energy can help eliminate them.
Fuel Supply and Reliability
New England is heavily reliant on a few fossil fuel sources for its electricity. Most notably, the region's use of natural gas for electricity production has increased to nearly 50% over the past decade. As our dependence on these fuels increases, so does our vulnerability to supply shortages and volatile fuel prices. New clean energy diversifies our mix of fuel sources, significantly reducing risks to supply and prices.
Clean energy also offers direct benefits to the electric grid. The grid draws most of its power from large power plants that are typically located far away from areas with high electricity needs. In areas where demand is growing faster than or already exceeds supply, congestion and reliability problems can occur. Small clean energy technologies like solar photovoltaics can be installed in these high-demand areas to reduce these problems.
The role of clean energy in fuel supply and electric grid reliability is increasingly being recognized by utilities, customers, and policy makers. Learn more about these benefits.
Our Economy
Clean energy relies on a variety of manufacturing and installation industries for its development. In Massachusetts, clean energy already represents a significant industry sector and is expected to grow 25% - 35% annually. Learn more about the developing clean energy industry in Massachusetts and its impact on our economy.
Is Clean Energy Ready?
The amount of installed clean generation has grown significantly around the world and in Massachusetts in recent decades.
However, several practical issues must be overcome for clean energy to continue growing. These include the costs of some technologies like solar photovoltaics and the often lengthy approval processes for installing clean energy. While great strides have been made in each area, there is still much to be accomplished. Learn more about these issues and the progress that has been made in addressing them.
< Return to Why Clean Energy is Important