Ten Senators I would like to Thank
06 Aug 08 | CommentaryFinally, there seems to be a few people who are willing to compromise on an energy plan. It may not be perfect, but it is a thousand times better than what we have right now. For almost a year now, Republican Senators have been blocking the extension of the renewable energy tax credits. For about a month, the Democrats have been blocking any action on new off shore drilling. Both sides have been pointing fingers and other blaming each other for the current and looming energy crisis that we now face.
Even Paris Hilton came up with a better plan than the Bush/Cheney response, which seems to be somewhat muted. Paris Hilton for God’s sake.
Finally, 10 Senators, Democratic and Republican, came together to form a plan. The major aspects include:
- Expanding drilling opportunities off the East coast and Gulf of Mexico, which pleases Republicans
- Keeping a ban on drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska, a concession to Democrats
- Repealing a tax break for oil companies that Democrats have long called for
- Putting billions toward producing more alternative-fuel vehicles, in part paid for by the oil and gas industry
I don’t see any mention of extending the renewable energy credits in there, perhaps it is something they are still working on. In any case, at least they are trying to do something. Who are the ten Senators I’d like to Thank? They are these:
- Kent Conrad, D-North Dakota
- Saxby Chambliss, R-Georgia
- ohn Thune, R-South Dakota
- Lindsey Graham, R-South Carolina
- Blanche Lincoln, D-Arkansas
- Mary Landrieu, D-Louisiana
- Johnny Isakson, R-Georgia
- Bob Corker, R-Tennessee
- Mark Pryor, D-Arkansas
- Ben Nelson, D-Nebraska.
Thank you for caring and taking a stand, one that may be unpopular with your party and perhaps your constituents, but none the less, something that needs to be done.
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Coal Power, our competitor.
28 Jul 08 | EnvironmentGet ready. As the energy crisis deeps, we will start to see more and more advertising by large scale energy producers about how drilling for more oil off the coast or in ANWR or perhaps removing more mountain tops in West Virgina will help us out of our problem.
The truth is, we are in it too deep for any of that to make much difference. WE have to transition to a new energy economy, one that depends more on distributed energy generation than huge centralized generating facilities. There will be many nay sayers that will say physics do not support the concept, or it will be too expensive, or take too long. The nay sayers are wrong.
Physics do support the switch to renewable energy to power almost all of our needs. Heavy transportation may still need to rely on fossil fuels for now, everything else can be powered by electric, which can be generated by solar, wind, hydro, wave, tidal, ocean currents etc. Distributed generation is better than centralized generation because the electrical grid is less likely to suffer a catastrophic failure, like it did in the summer of 2003 during the Northeast blackout.
Remove the oil and coal subsides. That will lower our federal taxes, something that is near and dear to the heart of every conservative, and allow the energy market to float on the economy, the way it is supposed to. Then you will see solar, wind, etc, etc, become viable competitors. The renewable energy sector would not have to rely on handouts from congress every few years to stay in business.
As far as a time frame, drilling in the north slope of Alaska or the continental shelf will take too long. It will be at least 10 years from drilling the first well until the time the first barrel of oil hits the market. While we wait, the economy will crash, we will all be broke or owned by Saudi Arabia. On the other hand, the production of solar and wind products are on the rise. New manufacturing capacity for raw materials and finished products is being added every year. R and D continues and new more efficient methods are coming on line.
The sooner we focus on that solution, the better off we will be.
This is a pretty good example of how large companies try to spin there environmentally disastrous products with some nice music and neighborly looking people.
Coal power. Cheap. Abundant. Cheap.
At the end of the ad, they should run a fast speaking disclaimer like all the used car adds you hear on the radio. Something like this:
This ad does not represent the truth. Using coal power releases sulfur dioxide, nitrous oxides, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, mercury, radio active elements and other harmful substances into the atmosphere. Sulfur dioxide and nitrous oxides cause acid rain, carbon monoxide is a deadly gas, carbon dioxide may increase global warming, mercury causes birth defects and brain damage, radio active elements cause birth defects and are a known carcinogen. The mining of coal seriously disrupts the environment and leads to permanent damage in most cases. Jobs created by coal industry are dangerous, low paying and often lead to black lung disease or other deadly health conditions. Use with caution.
WE need to make sure that the government does what WE want, lets stay focused. Don’t be fooled by all the hype in slick marketing.
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Nice try big guy
19 Jun 08 | CommentaryThe oil companies are a little concerned these days. Oh, they are not worried that Congress is going to yank the rug out from under them, that is impossible. No, they are more concerned that they may be pricing themselves out of a customer.
As more and more people get fed up with high prices and shift to renewable energy, the oil companies will loose business. Not too much at first, it will take a while for momentum to build, but eventually oil will become the nation’s second choice for energy. This has the various boards of directors concerned, what with all the talk of peak oil production, limited reserves, high demand, limited refineries, one might think that we are running out of oil. As oil companies go, that perception is dangerous and bad for business.
It is no surprise to me that now President Bush proposes removing the ban on off shore drilling all along the US continental shelf. Everyone knows that Mr. Bush is an oil man at heart and it is no shock when he has repeatedly spoken of drilling in ANWR. The off shore drilling is a change, or as the talking heads on the TV say, a “Flip Flop.”
This, according to Mr. Bush and other pro oil analysts, would lower gas prices even if supplies were not immediately increased. Most others say it would make little or no difference, especially in the price of motor fuel. I am more inclined to believe the latter.
What off shore drill will accomplish:
- Increase supply of oil on the world wide market enough to barely meet expected demand increase, thus have no effect on current prices. (US DOE study, impacts of increased access…)
- Continue the current Oil Economy for a few more years leading to more oil addiction.
- Make the large oil companies and their executives very, very wealthy.
- Do nothing to mitigate the possible environmental effects of burning fossil fuels.
It is interesting that the US Department of Energy refutes Mr. Bush’s claim of lower gas prices. Perhaps they didn’t get the memo…
We have been addicted to cheap energy for a long, long time. The party is over and now it is time for a little pain. Pain, as it turns out, is good in some cases. It encourages changes in behavior, leads to innovation and advances in technology. It is good that this is happening now, like this, while we still have energy resources to effect change, rather than having the proverbial tank run dry. High oil prices are good for us, we just don’t know it yet.
Update: This article says it much better than I ever could: The misguided message of the addict-and-chief.
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No Longer Alternative Energy
09 Jun 08 | CommentaryTime was when we would think of anything that was a non-fossil fueled power as “Alternative Energy.” Something that space ships used, or perhaps some hippies living in the woods. Not so much anymore. As oil prices go through the roof and supplies become scarce, the question I hear more and more often is “Alternative to what?”
When I read articles in Main Stream Media outlets, like MSN, which tout Solar Powers ability to offset conventional power (It’s Solar Powers Time to Shine, June 5, 2006) it makes me smile. I have known this for many years as have the other people in the solar business. It has become the latest news for the un-initiated.
To make the alternative energy systems main stream, three things must happen:
- Greater awareness by the public. Education is the key, installing a solar thermal collector is not the same as installing hot water heater or furnace. The typical house owner needs to have some general idea of how it works in order to make in informed decision. Solar 101 needs to be taught beginning in primary school science classes and carried on through collage.
- Research and Development. Much more needs to be done, especially with photovoltaics to increase the panel efficiency and bring the costs down. R and D in other areas such as large scale solar thermal electric generation, solar thermal building heating, solar thermal storage, small scale solar water heating systems is also needed.
- Level the playing field with the other fuels. Currently, big oil, big coal and big nuclear receive huge federal government subsides which are paid for by… you and me (if you pay any federal income tax). I would like to see this stop. Preferably, all the government subsides would end that way, solar, wind and small hydro would be able to compete head on with coal, oil and nuclear power. This is the European model. That will likely not happen, therefore, an acceptable alternative would be long term subsides for solar and small wind power.
As fuel prices go up, my phone rings more and more. I am optimistic that economic forces will drive solar and other so called alternative energy sources into the main stream, perhaps much sooner than anyone thought.
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Why Tax breaks are needed
29 Apr 08 | CommentaryI have been watching the news about the House and the current bill to extend the tax breaks granted two years ago. It is a bit troubling to think that my business is in the hands of congress, but there it is.
When I read things like this:
Continued congressional delays over extending tax breaks to solar, wind and other renewable-energy companies could threaten the clean-technology industry’s growth and the jobs it creates.
I begin to wonder what is really going on. Are we just kidding ourselves in thinking that somehow we, the ordinary citizen, can affect change in America’s energy policy? A policy that has to date, been dictated by faceless mega corporations who can manage to turn the tables to their benefit regardless of what the majority of American’s want. I am beginning to wonder…
Since I deal almost exclusively in solar thermal, losing the federal tax subside would put a serious damper on my sales effort. In fact, I would say it would put me out of business.
That sucks.
It sucks because I believe in solar energy. Will it solve all of our energy problems? No. Can it make a significant dent (greater than 30-40%) contribution to our energy needs? Yes, with enough support, the combination of solar thermal and photovoltaics can generate a huge quantity of energy for our use.
The problem is we are going up against the powerful elite who run the current energy supply system like their own fiefdom. Guess who is playing the role of surf? Profits are to be guarded at all costs without regard to the future, the environment, or the greater good. They have mega cash and are willing to spend it on any effort that will maintain status quo. What we are trying to do is akin to attacking an aircraft carrier with a sling shot.
It sucks because when I see my own electric bill has been reduced by at least $60 per month by a solar domestic hot water system, I know this stuff works. It is proven technology that has been perfected by state of the art solar selective coatings and insulation.
It sucks because we are only asking for a level playing field. If this is a free market economy, and that is a big if, then let market forces decide what is better. The oil and coal industry receive huge subsides from the federal government, on top of the huge profits from the American people. Wouldn’t it be nice if we (the renewable energy sector) could compete economically with that?
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