It’s been a difficult, terrifying summer for millions of people across the US. Deadly, record-breaking heat waves continue to oppress the West, killing hundreds and exacerbating an already dire wildfire season. The Southeast is just beginning to recover from Tropical Storm Elsa, while unprecedented floodwaters fill the subway tunnels of New York City.

As we learn to live with these impacts of the climate crisis, some representatives in Congress are ready to take action by setting an ambitious renewable energy standard that would drastically reduce emissions, decrease pollution, and promote community resilience.

This is the sort of real climate legislation our communities desperately need — not just to address the impacts of the climate crisis, but to create millions of jobs and improve air quality and health outcomes.

The American Renewable Energy Act (AREA) establishes a 70% renewable standard by 2030 and ensures that the generation mix is truly renewable and clean. The requirement begins at 20% in 2021 and rises to 70% in 2030. AREA prioritizes the use of solar, wind, and geothermal energy. The bill also seeks to ensure that all renewable energy deployment provides economic, health, and resiliency investments and benefits to the communities and areas where renewable generation is deployed. Importantly, AREA also includes mechanisms for tracking compliance and enforcing the requirements.

Tell your Representative: The time for renewables is now.