Through four decades of political change, NRDC has advocated an assertive and progressive environmental agenda. Congressional majorities and committee chairmanships may shift, but the values and vision that bind us do not.

That’s because a secure and prosperous America depends on clean water, air, and land, and on energy and transportation policies that will reduce our reliance on oil, put Americans back to work, and create a healthier future for our children.

While voters nationwide expressed anger about the economy, in California voters trounced a cynical bid -- bankrolled by a handful of out-of-state companies -- to turn back the clock on laws that hold polluters accountable to the people. It was the first time Americans anywhere had the chance to cast a ballot for our clean-energy future. Given the choice, voters want to move forward with 21st-century energy solutions and the vast opportunities they create, rather than look back to a fossil-fueled past.

And move forward we will. NRDC is zeroing in on opportunities that rest with the Obama administration's regulatory and budget authority. We will continue to work in California and other states and localities where officials understand the possibilities presented by the clean-energy future.

We will certainly face many battles against those in Congress who seek to roll back historic protections against pollution. But we know we have the public solidly on our side: nearly nine in ten Americans -- 87 percent -- want utilities to produce more energy from renewable sources, such as solar and wind, according to the Pew Research Center for the People and the Press. Nearly eight in ten Americans favor legislation that improves energy efficiency in workplaces and homes. And 79 percent want better gas mileage for cars and trucks.

Meanwhile, NRDC is moving forward with another critical piece of our work: putting clean energy to work in everyday life. We can talk all we want to about transit policy and efficiency standards, but seeing bike lanes and smart meters in our neighborhood’s really brings climate solutions home.

This is where innovative elected officials come in. They have the power to launch sweeping campaigns, and many are turning to clean-energy initiatives to revitalize their economies and make their communities more livable. Working with mayors to put these concrete clean-energy solutions in place and tapping the administration’s authority to put new standards on the books, NRDC can make lasting change in the coming months.