There are some complexities to having all states meet the same RE standard (such as 15% by 2021), because southern states such as Louisiana and Mississippi don't receive as much sun for instance as the southwestern states do. However, there other renewable sources of energy such as biomass or algae that would thrive in those southern states. I hope that Congress is taking these differences into consideration. Whatever the outcome, we do need a RE standard to level the playing field in the energy industry and to provide stability for further capital investment in renewables.
Moving toward a more sustainable, renewable, and efficient world.
How do we get there?
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Editorial: Nation Needs a Standard for Renewable Energy
Good work. The Denver Post editorial board comes out in favor of a national renewable energy standard. If you don't agree with government subsidies to help a nascent renewable energy (RE) industry then the only other options are a national RE standard (minimum amount of the states energy has to come from renewable sources) or a carbon/gasoline tax. Doing nothing and keeping the status quo is not an option any longer.
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Wishful Thinking
*Before adding PV, wind, or solar thermal to your residential or commercial structure, the first step is to analyze this structure's energy consumption through a professional energy audit. I'd like to see some public education on the importance of an energy audit for any structure. Remember Smokey the Bear's forest fire shtick drilled into our heads over the last few decades? How about something like, "Henry the House" desperately wanting to know how much energy he consumes and wastes throughout the day?
*With over 300 sunny days a year on the Front Range is it too much to ask for solar PV and thermal modules on every residential and commercial unit (after an energy audit of course)?
*How about affordable plug-in electric cars that go more than 100 miles on a charge with PV and wind powered recharging stations?
*Dreaming of companies large and small adopting business sustainability practices to maximize profits, reduce their carbon footprint, and enhance the lives of their employees and the communities that surround them.
*With over 300 sunny days a year on the Front Range is it too much to ask for solar PV and thermal modules on every residential and commercial unit (after an energy audit of course)?
*How about affordable plug-in electric cars that go more than 100 miles on a charge with PV and wind powered recharging stations?
*Dreaming of companies large and small adopting business sustainability practices to maximize profits, reduce their carbon footprint, and enhance the lives of their employees and the communities that surround them.
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Posts
2 comments:
Hello, I am a student enrolled in one of the first Alternative energy courses brought to High School students in the US. Currently, the KEy West High School "Biodiesel" class works on ways to come up with solutions to energy issues. Since 2007, we have come up with a fuel made up of vegetable oil to power an old mercedes benz, and just last year we worked on a project to set up a wind turbine that now runs in the back field of our school. We are very interested in what ou have to say and would love it if you visited our blog and gave us some helpful feedback. thankyou! http://kwaec.blogspot.com/
I did visit your blog and it's amazing. I think you're on the right track - just keep sharing information on alternative energy with the public and your blog will grow. I added your blog to my blog under "Education" and I did a blog post on KWAEC.
Thanks for reaching out to me and good luck!
-Denver Sun Sponge
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