National Day of Action, May 20, 2008
20 May 08 | CommentaryToday is the day, Tuesday, May 20, 2008. For far too many months, congress has been dallying with the extension of the solar tax incentives. This period of unknown has begun to take it’s toll on the investment and building of the Solar Economy here in the United States. To that end, several industry groups, companies, coalitions and others have joined their voices together in an effort called the National Day of Action for Clean Energy. Hopefully, hopefully, like the in movie “Horton Hears a Who,” the House and Senate will hear us.
So common now, I know you can do it. Everyone needs to make noise of the noisiest kind. Contact your Congressperson and Senator, let them know that it is important. Write a letter, make a phone call, send an e-mail drop by the local office in person, do something to make a difference.
Like all the Who’s in Whoville, I don’t want our little spec of dust boiled in beazzle nut oil.
You can read the news iteration of the bill called “HR 6049 renewable energy and job creation act of 2008” and make an informed call.
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Tags: politics
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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Tags: Commentary, politics
Congress passes Clean Energy Tax credits
11 Apr 08 | CommentaryMuch to the credit of the Senate, who, by a 88-8 vote passed the language of Cantwell-Ensign bill as a part of another, less important thing about housing or something. All I can say is YAAAAHOOO!
This is indeed good news for all of us who have been collectively holding our breath since last December when the first attempts were made to pass an extension on the renewable energy tax credits.
The bill now needs to go to the house, where it may be sliced and diced, but I am optimistic as the house has been friendly in the recent past to the renewable energy tax credits.
What this bill does:
- extend the investment tax credit for commercial solar power installations for 8 years
- extend the residential solar investment tax credit for one year and remove the current $2000 credit cap
- remove the exemption on utilities for claiming these tax credits
- allow the tax credit to offset alternative minimum tax
- extend incentives for energy efficiency improvements
What this bill does not do:
- Penalize the big oil companies for making too much money by removing their subsides
- Establish where the money will come from for the 6 billion in subsides noted above
I can live with that and hope that next year, a long range renewable energy bill is passed.
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Tags: politics, renewable energy incentives
Slowly, the ship is turning
08 Feb 08 | CommentaryIn yet another narrow defeat last night, the Senate voted to keep renewable energy incentives out of the economic stimulus package. Once again, Senator John McCain was absent from the voting. It is difficult to imagine why he would choose not to show up in Washington to vote on this important legislation when Both Senators Clinton and Obama made the trip. To me at least, it seems Senator McCain is showing that he is a hollow man. By his words he says that he is concerned about the environment, but his actions show he does not really care enough about the environment to make a stand on either side. Sort of reminds me of George W. Bush before he took office in 2000. We all know how Mr. Bush’s environmental agenda shook out once he was in office.
Regardless of that, once again the tax incentives for solar energy have been cut out of the process by the Senate, this time by only one vote. Several Republican Senators took a bipartisan stance and voted for the measure, which is a nice change. However, in the end it was not enough to keep the Senate from a filibuster and far too few votes to avoid the inevitable Bush veto.
In the last few years, we have fought tooth and nail for the environment, especially in light of the current chief executive of the federal government. There is a long way still to go. In order for renewable energy, most specifically solar power, to stay a viable alternative, either one of two things must happen:
- The subsides for Big Oil and Big Coal are ended. This will allow a true market environment where energy costs would be able to float to their natural levels instead of being held artificially low. This is the current European model. In light of the current energy monopolies these two forces have, the energy prices would likely skyrocket to several times there current levels until other forces such as renewable energy are brought to bear causing a competitive market. It would likely ruin the ever so fragile service economy that this country has developed.
- Subsides for renewable energy need to be enacted for a long term period. This will encourage entrepreneurs to get into the renewable energy field and get firmly established. No one wants to start a business and then have rug pulled out from under them as happened to the solar industry in the mid 1980’s. Long term subsides will allow stable development of renewables, which, when mature will be able to compete with old tech fossil fuel sectors head on.
Of course, Big Oil and Big Coal are not interested in sharing their markets with anyone, much less any technology that can do what they do better and cleaner (and, if you count the cost of environmental damage, cheaper). The problem is that the old school guys have a lot of money and they like to throw it around. The renewable energy sector? Not so much.
That is where we come in. We are actually the ones who empower our Senators and Representatives by voting for them. To make this system work, however, you must be registered to vote. That is a start, but it is not enough. It would be very helpful if you actually went to the polling place on election day and cast a vote. Then, keep an eye on your elected official’s voting record. If you see something you don’t like, send them an e-mail, let them know how you feel. Before election day, read up on the candidates, vote for the one you think will most accurately represent you.
Remember, these guys (Congressmen/Senators) are not your average Joe. Their life experiences are vastly different from the rest of us. They, as a general rule, have a lot of money and have fairly well insulated themselves against economic trouble. The rest of us who have to work for a living will have to deal with the consequences of there actions or inactions. Don’t assume your Congressman or Senator has your back, communicate!
As for the old school big energy guys, we can cancel out there grasp on power by sticking together. The CEO of Exxon-Mobil for example, is only one vote. So is the CEO of Peabody Coal. If we stick together, send a message to our Congressman and Senators with the status quo is not acceptable, we can beat these guys. But we have to stick together.
One vote.
One District.
One Congressman.
One Senator at a time.
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Tags: big coal, big oil, politics, renewable energy incentives
Obstructionist, Corporate lackies, Bush sycophants
14 Dec 07 | CommentaryLast night, at 6:25 pm, the US Senate choose to uphold the current policy of corporate welfare for Big Oil companies and voted for the stripped down version of the 2007 energy bill. Since this bill has everything the Republicans wanted, Bush will naturally sign it into law.
This is a disappointment and a set back for all those that were looking for a change of direction from our elected leaders. The difference between the House bill and the Senate bill are huge. The worst impact, for the ordinary environmentally concerned citizen, is the loss of the tax incentives for installation of solar power, which will expire at the end of 2008.
Fortunately, many states have picked up the ball and carried it a great deal of the way, New York being one of those. As we watch our national “leadership” give away our future to huge mega rich oil companies, it is comforting to know that at least some people have the moral courage to do the right thing. Will it be enough? I don’t know, only the future can tell.
Perhaps during the next election, we can remember the names of the Senators who voted against the non-stripped out 2007 energy bill. Here is a list:
Alexander (R-TN)
Allard (R-CO)
Barrasso (R-WY)
Bennett (R-UT)
Bond (R-MO)
Brownback (R-KS)
Bunning (R-KY)
Burr (R-NC)
Chambliss (R-GA)
Coburn (R-OK)
Cochran (R-MS)
Corker (R-TN)
Cornyn (R-TX)
Craig (R-ID)
Crapo (R-ID)
DeMint (R-SC)
Dole (R-NC)
Domenici (R-NM)
Ensign (R-NV)
Enzi (R-WY)
Graham (R-SC)
Gregg (R-NH)
Hagel (R-NE)
Hutchison (R-TX)
Inhofe (R-OK)
Isakson (R-GA)
Kyl (R-AZ)
Landrieu (D-LA)
Lott (R-MS)
Martinez (R-FL)
McConnell (R-KY)
Roberts (R-KS)
Sessions (R-AL)
Shelby (R-AL)
Specter (R-PA)
Stevens (R-AK)
Sununu (R-NH)
Vitter (R-LA)
Voinovich (R-OH)
Warner (R-VA)
If you are from any of those states, keep this in mind the next time you are standing in front of a voting machine. In the mean time, perhaps the issue will come up again next year and we will get a second chance.