Renewable energy accounted for more than 11.1 percent of the domestically-produced energy used in the United States in the first half of 2009.[1] U.S. wind power installed capacity now exceeds 25,176 MW which is enough to serve 7.0 million average households [2] and wind turbines could more than meet U.S. electricity needs.[3] Texas is firmly established as the leader in wind power development, followed by Iowa and California.[4] DOE has said wind power could generate 20% of US electricity by 2030.[5][6][7]

Several solar thermal power stations, including the new 64 MW Nevada Solar One, have also been built. The largest of these solar thermal power stations is the SEGS group of plants in the Mojave Desert with a total generating capacity of 354 MW, making the system the largest solar plant of any kind in the world.[8] The largest solar photovoltaic plant in the U.S. is the 14 MW Nellis Solar Power Plant, located near Las Vegas, Nevada, which is expected to produce more than 30 million kWh/year for Nellis Air Force Base.[9]

In terms of renewable fuels for transportation, most cars on the road today in the U.S. can run on blends of up to 10% ethanol fuel, and motor vehicle manufacturers already produce vehicles designed to run on much higher ethanol blends.

The development of renewable energy and energy efficiency marks "a new era of energy exploration" in the United States, according to President Barack Obama. [10] In a joint address to the Congress on February 24, 2009, President Obama called for doubling renewable energy within the next three years.[11]

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