It is clean, environmentally friendly, and sustainable. Renewable energy has been used for thousands of years. From the heat of the sun to dry clothes, fruit, and vegetables to wind energy to grind corn or power boats, renewable energy sources can be harnessed to do work. Homes have been built to use the sun’s rays to warm them in the winter. People and companies have used solar water–heating systems. Others have installed photovoltaic panels to make electricity. Still others have tapped the heat below ground in geothermal electricity systems, direct use geothermal, or ground source heat pumps. Choosing renewable power provides many benefits:

• Making use of secure, indigenous, and sustainable natural resources,
• Helping to keep our air clean,
• Potential to reduce the production of carbon dioxide—a leading contributor to global climate change,
• Creating jobs for American workers,
• Establishing the U.S. as a world leader and exporter of renewable power technologies, and
• Nationwide, reducing dependence on imported oil.