There are so many reasons to explore renewable energy. Renewable energy produces power, promotes peace and protects the planet. Renewable energy provides economic benefits. Most importantly, renewable energy secures the future for our children.

Most energy (electricity and fuel) is produced from burning fossil fuels like coal, oil and natural gas. Burning fossil fuels creates emissions including sulfur and nitrogen oxides, hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and traces of toxic metals such as mercury, arsenic and lead. These emissions become part of the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the soil which grows our food. Our bodies and our environment do not benefit from these emissions. Renewable energy provides cleaner energy with less potential health and environmental hazards.

Fossil fuel deposits were formed over thousands of years and are dwindling because we consume so much energy. This diminishing supply, instability in foreign oil producing countries, rising transportation costs, and aging utility distribution systems, are factors which will continue to increase costs of fossil fuel based energy. Renewable energy eliminates some of these factors and affords some control over future costs. Investing in renewable energy systems now, provides a known expense and in essence "prepays" a portion of future energy costs.

Diversity in our country's energy supply makes us less dependent on foreign fossil fuels and guarantees energy is always available in some form. Using renewable resources for fuel decreases our reliance on oil from other countries. Self reliance is always a wise choice. Decentralized energy production strengthens our infrastructure, and is a goal which can be realized by fostering widespread use of regional renewable energy systems.

Renewable energy production also yields economic benefits. Nebraska's agricultural sector produces plant and animal sources which can be converted into renewable energy. Increased renewable energy generation causes an increased demand for convertible sources, which ultimately benefits our economy. Local renewable energy sources coupled with local renewable energy systems, create a clean, diverse, cost-effective approach to energy production.

The following pages offer renewable energy resource information. The Nebraska Renewable Energy Association urges everyone to explore renewable energy. People who can't incorporate renewable energy in their life because of equipment costs, zoning restrictions, poor site resources or lack of space, can still support renewable energy production and use, and focus on conserving energy. Join the Nebraska Renewable Energy Association! Explore the links on this page to find other organizations which promote renewable energy. Teach your children to use resources wisely and discuss energy use. After all, we want our children to inherit solutions, not problems.