There are many energy analysts who believe that U.S. desperately needs national clean energy standard in order to challenge China's lead in global clean energy race. Not only that, national clean energy standard should also decrease U.S. dependence on foreign fuel import.
However, clean renewable energy sources still have bigger costs compared to fossil fuels so the question that remains is whether Americans are ready to pay more for clean energy or not.
The researchers from Yale and Harvard have concluded in their last study that the average American is ready pay 13 percent more for electricity in support of a national clean-energy standard.
The researchers have recently conducted a nationally representative survey that included 1,010 U.S. citizens. Respondents were asked whether they would support or oppose national clean energy standard, with the goal of 80 percent coming from clean energy by 2035.
This mark of 80 percent clean energy by 2035 is still subject to controversies because Obama Administration's proposed definition of clean energy that also includes natural gas. Natural gas belongs to fossil fuels, and despite being significantly less polluting than coal still produces greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change.
The definition of clean energy still remains unclear because to some only renewable energy sources should be described as clean while others say that nuclear energy is also clean source of energy. Now, even natural gas has been drawn into the clean energy definition.
In any case, it's certainly good to know that Americans want more clean energy and are willing to pay more for it.
