Al Gore Proposes 10-Year Transition to Carbon Free Electricity Production

In Washington yesterday Al Gore challenged the presidential candidates and the nation to replace all dirty coal-fired electricity production with clean sources of power within 10 years. He warned that drastic steps are needed to avoid a global economic and ecological disaster.

"The survival of the United States of America as we know it is at risk--and the future of human civilization itself is at stake.

Gore proposes that all all carbon-emitting forms of electricity production in the U.S. be replaced withing 10 years by solar, wind, geothermal, clean-coal technology and energy conservation. Nuclear power would remain as the source of 20 percent of electricity production. Coal currently produces about half of electricity in the U.S.

Ernest J. Moniz, director of the energy initiative at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology said "Mr. Gore is continuing his talent of identifying the key challenges, emphasizing urgency and translating it to a broad audience. That's terrific. Everyone agrees that the solution to the climate challenge is decarbonization and the first place to go is the electricity sector. Can we get there that fast? Obviously it's very, very tough."

Gore said "To those who say 10 years is not enough time, I respectfully ask them to consider seriously what the world's scientists are telling us about the risks we face if we don't act in less than 10 years." Gore noted that the United States uses only a tiny fraction of the wind, solar and geothermal power available.