Sep 29 - McClatchy-Tribune Business News Formerly Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News - Alex Breitler The Record, Stockton, Calif.

One-quarter of the nation's electricity could come from renewable sources like wind, the sun and the ocean tide within two decades' time, a California conservation group claimed Thursday.

But only with strong federal leadership from whoever takes -- or keeps -- the reins after November's election.

Los Angeles-based Environment California released a study Thursday proposing a 10 percent drop in home, business and industrial energy use, as well as a reduction of oil demand by one-third and a commitment to renewable energy.

It could cost $3 billion a year to realize these goals, said Environment California, which released the report in Stockton as a challenge to Rep. Richard Pombo, R-Tracy, and his competition on the ballot, Pleasanton energy consultant Jerry McNerney.

"We have the knowledge now," said Moira Chapin, a field organizer for the conservation group. "We can do it. But we need the political will."

Pombo has called for researching alternative energy sources while continuing to recover natural gas. The goal of becoming less dependent on foreign oil is a universal one in Congress, said Pombo's spokesman Brian Kennedy.

The goals in Environment California's study are "laud-able," he said.

"Whether or not they're economically viable or achievable is another matter entirely," Kennedy said.

McNerney's Web site claims the country's reliance on fossil fuels could lead to a "catastrophic collapse" of the economy or environment as well as international conflict over oil reserves.

Environment California proposes a range of policies, including tougher fuel economy standards for cars and trucks -- saving millions of barrels of oil each day -- as well as using plant-based fuels like ethanol and biodiesel.

A burgeoning wind industry and cheapening solar power should boost renewable energy supplies, the study says. Meanwhile, newer technologies like low-speed underwater turbines spun by ocean tides would make available even more energy.

Renewable energy could eventually yield one-quarter of the nation's electricity, the group says. Right now it accounts for about 6 percent, the study says.

Contact reporter Alex Breitler at (209) 546-8295 or abreitler@recordnet.com