Executive Summary

The energy debate has moved to the forefront of current political discourse and now holds a central place in the dialogue. The debate over the need for new, clean energy is over: the American public overwhelmingly believes we must move to cleaner, more efficient energy now.

The public understands that cleaner energy and fuel-efficient automobiles and appliances are both possible and necessary for a secure future. Every survey and focus group that we have conducted in the past 3-4 years reflects that the public overwhelmingly supports the development of alternative energy, higher mileage standards, hybrids, and incentives to produce more energy-efficient appliances. These issues are not only favored, they consistently rank at the top of policy proposals. Our polling has shown majorities of 70 percent have believed for the past five years that clean, renewable energy could be effective now.

What has changed is the urgency of the situation and the scope of opportunity posed by the economic benefits of investing in clean energy and efficiency measures. And that is the purpose of this memo: to point to a broader debate over American jobs, our future economy and our role in the world. Energy clearly has power as a separate issue, but it can play a much bigger role in a broader and more powerful agenda.

Clean energy can be a big part of the debate over how America advances economically, in both micro and macro terms: how we develop good American jobs, how America leads the world technologically and economically, and how we help Americans save money and maintain their standard of living. We as a party and as candidates have a huge opportunity that should not be missed - one that addresses not only core economic insecurities of Americans, but defines us as a forward looking, prescient party.

Our argument is not based on a single poll or set of focus groups, but instead listening to people in dozens of focus groups and polls who are very worried about the future of this country and their place in that future. This memo aims to pull together their concerns, along with their support for the development of clean energy into a broader economic debate that is central to people's lives now and in the years to come.

Key Findings

• Clean energy can be a big part of the debate over how America advances economically. Democrats have an opportunity to address the core economic insecurities of Americans, and defines ourselves as a forward looking, prescient party.
• People find the connection between clean energy and fuel efficiency and tangible economic benefits a natural fit. We can now say that this agenda is critical to the country's economic future, and not simply an acceptable tradeoff for keeping the air, land and water clean.
• There are four core components to talking about this issue, including: establishing America as a technological leader, reinvigorating the economy with jobs and high standards of living, saving people money, and enhancing our security by owning our energy future.