It's way past time. U.S. should have been a leader in the renewable energy movement.
Excerpt from http://www.renewableenergyworld.com:
Renewable energy is important because of the benefits it provides.
Renewable energy technologies are clean sources of energy that have a much lower environmental impact than conventional energy technologies.
Renewable energy will not run out. Ever. Other sources of energy are finite and will some day be depleted.
Most renewable energy investments are spent on materials and workmanship to build and maintain the facilities, rather than on costly energy imports. Renewable energy investments are usually spent within the United States, frequently in the same state, and often in the same town. This means your energy dollars stay home to create jobs and fuel local economies, rather than going overseas.
Meanwhile, renewable energy technologies developed and built in the United States are being sold overseas, providing a boost to the U.S. trade deficit.
After the oil supply disruptions of the early 1970s, our nation has increased its dependence on foreign oil supplies instead of decreasing it. This increased dependence impacts more than just our national energy policy.
Content for this section provided in part by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and the Department of Energy.