In what he likens to President John F. Kennedy’s 1961 goal to land man on the moon by the end of the 1960s, Al Gore is challenging the United States in a Thursday speech to rely solely on renewable energy sources within 10 years.

The cost to achieve his goal has been estimated between $1.5 to $3 trillion, which Gore says is the same cost to build enough coal plants to meet demand of the next 10 years. He also points out that this investment will pay itself back in cost savings.

Gore’s goals align pretty much exactly with those of Bicycle City’s, so we’re all in favor of seeing this come to fruition. But others aren’t so keen on the former VP’s agenda. Some Republicans have suggested that investments in renewable energy will increase gas prices, angering already-strapped constituents during an important campaign period. Democrats don’t want to see critical environmental issues buried under the frenzy over rising costs for fuel. Both parties seem to be missing Gore’s point, which is that we have to stop relying on non-renewable energy sources, no matter what their financial cost.