Access to reliable supplies of energy at affordable prices has allowed our economy to grow and has improved the quality of life in America. In fact, during the past half-century America’s strong increase in the Gross Domestic Product has required an even greater increase in electricity use. However, the availability of reliable and affordable energy must not be taken for granted. In recent years the United States has suffered a variety of energy crises including domestic electricity blackouts, natural gas shortages, and extreme fuel price fluctuations and instability. Ensuring affordable and reliable energy supplies requires policies that allow greater use of all domestic energy resources, guarantee fuel diversity, encourage development of advanced energy technologies, improve the country's energy infrastructure, and promote energy conservation and efficiency.

Continued economic growth will require increased energy consumption, especially electricity. It will be impossible to achieve energy security, meet growing energy demand and ensure economic vitality without relying on electricity from coal for a significant share of America's energy needs. Coal is currently the source of half of this country's electricity. There are ample domestic supplies of this abundant energy resource – enough to last 250 years. And, even though the emission of air pollutants from coal-based power plants has fallen by 30 percent since 1970, the development of new and advanced clean coal technologies will allow electricity from coal to be generated even more cleanly. If America is to meet its future energy needs, which are projected to increase 45 percent by the year 2020, increasingly clean electricity from coal must continue to be a primary source of energy.

One of CARE's greatest strengths is its diverse membership – including over 50 national groups representing business, labor and consumers from across the United States – all articulating a common concern about ensuring affordable and reliable energy. This diversity of perspective, but unity of purpose, is a powerful and influential asset in formulating public policy.

CARE members believe all energy and related environmental policies must be consistent with the following principles:

• Promote Economic Growth – A strong and growing economy depends on the availability of affordable and reliable supplies of energy.
• Increase Use of Domestic Resources – Policies should reduce our dependence on foreign supplies of energy and allow greater utilization of domestic energy resources, such as coal.
• Ensure Fuel Diversity – America should meet its energy needs by utilizing a range of different energy resources, including coal, oil, natural gas, nuclear power, and renewable and alternative fuels.
• Encourage Development of Advanced Energy Technologies – New and advanced technologies should be developed to allow the production and efficient use of all domestic energy resources while continuing to reduce any associated environmental impacts.
• Be Based on Sound Scientific Analysis – Any policies that may affect the generation of affordable and reliable energy should be based on sound scientific analysis and produce verifiable benefits.
• Seek a Balanced Approach – Effective policies should strike a sensible balance among America's energy, environmental, national security, economic and social goals.