WHEREAS, all people have a right to clean, reliable sources of energy; and,

WHEREAS, the health of the planet, including its oceans, wildlands, rivers, air, and climate, faces increasing threats from our continued dependence on fossil fuels; and

WHEREAS, the United States comprises only 5% of the world’s population, but consumes 26% of the world’s energy; and,

WHEREAS, the United States’ overwhelming dependence on fossil fuels makes its economy increasingly vulnerable to price spikes and shortages; and,

WHEREAS, the United States’ electric utility sector ranks first among U.S. industries emitting toxic pollution, as listed in the federal Toxic Release Inventory, releasing 1 billion pounds of toxics in 1998, more than the chemical, paper, plastics and refining industries combined; and

WHEREAS, increased domestic production of oil is an unsustainable and environmentally damaging alternative to foreign sources of oil; and

WHEREAS, the full societal costs of reliance upon fossil fuels are not reflected in retail prices for energy, due to a wide array of subsidies and long-term environmental degradation; and

WHEREAS, the artificially deflated costs of energy in the United States lead to enormous waste of energy through inefficient vehicles, appliances, and industries; and

WHEREAS, numerous technologies for producing abundant energy from clean renewable sources currently exist; and

WHEREAS, widespread adoption and encouragement of these technologies by United States energy policy could greatly reduce the need for producing energy from fossil fuels; and

WHEREAS, numerous United States cities have initiated their own policies to support development of renewable energy technologies, and, in so doing, have reduced their dependence on fossil fuels, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, reduced energy consumption, and have saved taxpayer dollars.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the United State Conference of Mayors urges the United States government to develop, adopt, and implement a comprehensive energy policy focused on (1) reducing the United States’ dependence on fossil fuels, (2) dramatically increasing the production of energy from clean, sustainable, and renewable sources, and (3) appropriate pricing of fossil fuels to reflect actual societal and environmental costs and to encourage conservation.