WHEREAS, all people have a right to clean, reliable sources of energy; and

WHEREAS, the health of the planet, including its oceans, wildlands, rivers, air, and climate, faces increasing threats from our continued dependence on fossil fuels; and

WHEREAS, the United States while representing less than 5% of the world's population, releases a projected 25% of all greenhouse gases worldwide, the major contributor of global warming; and

WHEREAS, the United States' overwhelming dependence on fossil fuels makes its economy increasingly vulnerable to destabilizing fuel price fluctuations; and

WHEREAS, the United States' electric utility sector ranks first among U.S. industries emitting toxic pollution, as listed in the federal Toxic Release Inventory, releasing 1 billion pounds of toxic substances in 2004, more than the chemical, paper, plastics and refining industries combined; and

WHEREAS, increased domestic production of oil is an unsustainable and environmentally damaging alternative to foreign sources of oil; and

WHEREAS, the full societal costs of reliance upon fossil fuels are not reflected in retail prices for energy, due to a wide array of subsidies and long-term environmental degradation; and

WHEREAS, the artificially deflated costs of energy in the United States lead to an enormous waste of energy through inefficient vehicle fuel economy, appliances, and industries; and

WHEREAS, numerous alternative technologies for producing abundant energy from clean renewable sources currently exist, including tidal, wave, wind, solar, and geothermal electricity, and alternative fuels for vehicles; and

WHEREAS, widespread adoption of these technologies by United States energy policy would substantially reduce the need for producing energy from fossil fuels; and

WHEREAS, numerous United States cities have already initiated their own policies to support development of renewable energy technologies and use of alternative fuels, and, in so doing, have reduced their dependence on fossil fuels, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, reduced energy consumption, and saved taxpayer dollars.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the United States Conference of Mayors urges the Congress and Administration to develop, adopt, and implement a comprehensive energy policy focused on: (1) reducing the United States' dependence on fossil fuels, (2) dramatically increasing the production of energy and fuel from clean, sustainable, and renewable sources, including tidal, wave, solar, wind and geothermal electricity, (3) appropriate incentives for clean, renewable energy and to encourage conservation, and (4) increased production of vehicles powered by clean renewable sources of energy.