$150 Billion Renewables Investment: Will Obama Deliver?

It’s been a long 21 months of campaigning, voting and high emotions with the American Presidential election. Now that President-Elect Barack Obama has been voted into office, with his official term starting on 20th January 2009, it is a great time to look back at what his views and promises were in regards to his presidency’s impact on the solar industry.

With the world watching the unfolding events of the past year in America’s politics, many issues were at the forefront of debates. Economy, war and international relations; all the typical - indeed, important - questions that needed to be asked of the future leader of the United States. One question that was of particular interest was the position that the candidates, specifically Barack Obama, held in regards to renewable energy, especially in the solar industry. Interestingly, Obama had addressed this at an early speech at Las Vegas’ Springs Preserve, Nevada, on 25th June 2008 and again at the last debate with Senator John McCain.

In Las Vegas, Obama acknowledged that Nevada alone could create “upwards of 80,000 jobs by 2025” with solar, wind and geothermal energy. He also conceded that the U.S. was much farther behind in renewable energy technology than other parts of the world, particularly Spain, Germany and Japan. He directly cited Germany as “a country as cloudy as the Pacific Northwest [which] is now a world leader in the solar power industry and the quarter million new jobs it has created.” This was a concept that seemed to baffle him, considering that states like Nevada have such tremendous amounts of sunshine every year. The U.S. is not as far advanced in harvesting this sunshine like the European countries.

While America has had a long infatuation with offshore drilling, Obama stated that he felt that in the roughly eight years it would take the U.S. to start using oil from offshore drilling, Germany would “have doubled their renewable energy output.” He praised Germany’s government for providing investments and incentives to the renewable energy industry. The country’s model makes it possible for solar power companies to research and develop the technology needed for a successful alternative energy-fuelled country.

Using Europe and Asia as a model for success, Obama said that he “will invest $150 billion over the next ten years in alternative sources of energy like wind power, and solar power, and advanced biofuels-investments that will create up to five million new jobs…”

By the time October’s last presidential debate rolled around, the world’s economies had become even more depressed. This made it even easier to dismiss asking a question about the future President’s plans for the world’s climates or the U.S. energy predicament, but moderator Bob Schieffer pressed the Senators to state their positions. Both Obama and McCain stated their plans to reduce U.S. reliance on Middle East and Venezuelan oil in order for the country to achieve energy independence within approximately the next 10 years. However, it was Obama who held to his plans to grow renewable energy sources, specifically in the wind and solar sector. He spoke of the U.S. transportation system and how it “accounts for about 30 percent of [U.S.] total energy consumption”; how he wanted the country to gain energy independence, with plans to “retool some of these plants to make these highly fuel-efficient cars and also to make wind turbines and solar panels, the kinds of clean energy approaches that should be the driver of our economy for the next century.” Obama also promised plans to address the United States’ energy use consumption, while creating policies that reduce the carbon emissions and making energy policy a priority.

Now, one month after the debate and one day after the election, we begin to watch the new President-elect of the U.S. while wondering not only if, but when he will implement his promises, enthusiasm and vision for renewable energy in the U.S. As with all things, only time will tell.

Source

California Climate Change Risk and Response

At this moment in history a financial crisis of global proportions is unfolding. The impacts of this disaster will be felt for years to come, and its cost borne by future generations. A universal lesson also comes from this crisis: Markets can deliver profits, but they may not deliver sustainability. For this reason, the public interest must be secured at all times by policy foresight and responsible leadership.

The serial market failures sparked by the collapse of the housing industry and credit markets have profound consequences for California’s budget. Given the current fiscal uncertainty, it is reasonable to challenge government priorities, assessing the long-term economic and social performance of every dollar of government spending and every regulation. California's Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 (AB 32) is a hallmark example of the proactive initiatives needed to sustain California’s prosperity, overcoming short-term challenges to put the state on a long-term path of lower carbon emissions and higher economic growth.

While multiple studies have been conducted assessing the economic impacts of the California Air Resources Board's Scoping Plan to implement AB 32, to date, there has been limited economic analysis of California’s climate risk -- the impact of climate change if the state continues business-as-usual -- or of the adaptation needed to cope with unavoidable climate change. This report provides for the first time a comprehensive examination of the economic impacts of climate change and adaptation in California. In conducting this multi-sector assessment, we compile the most recent available science on climate damage, assess its economic implications, and examine alternative strategies for adaptation.

The report can be downloaded here.

Web Site:http://www.nextten.org/research/research_ccrr.html

California Climate Change Portal

PG&E Raises Electricity Rates 87% at Top Tier

Solar installers....hold on to your hats. Things may get very busy in 2009 for homeowners with the October ’09 increase hike in electric rates for ratepayers on E-1, the most common rate plan in this territory. As the market continues to struggle electric rates will further increase as warm weather arrives. When June and July bills begin arriving in mailboxes there will be increased interest in installing solar to get insulated from these ongoing utility rate hikes.

Local Global Warming Forum

On Sunday evening, November 16, at 6 p.m., a forum on global warming will be held at the Mennonite Brethren Biblical Seminary BC lounge. This Mennonite Peacemaker sponsored event will feature a four person panel including Steve Ratzlaff, Michael Kunz, Ken Martens Friesen, and Mary Anne Isaak. Panelists will share biblical reflections, scientific background, practical steps, and opinions on why more hasn't been done already to tackle this issue.
Map It

National Solar Tour Sparks Energy Revolution

As families tighten their belts to ride the latest economic roller coaster, an unprecedented number of homeowners are learning how to go solar and save on monthly utility bills by attending the National Solar Tour, the largest grassroots solar energy event in history.

The nonprofit American Solar Energy Society (ASES) is bringing together as many as 150,000 citizens to tour some 5,000 homes and businesses in 48 states to learn about money-saving technologies.

The National Solar Tour features property-owners who open their doors to neighbors to share how they are using the latest solar technologies to drastically reduce monthly energy bills, reduce harmful carbon emissions, and enjoy tax credits and cash incentives as they improve their property values.

Amid a struggling U.S. economy, these powerful open-house tours and neighbor-to-neighbor discussions show everyday people how they can combat soaring energy prices with solar energy and energy efficiency - while generating green-collar jobs across the U.S.

"The National Solar Tour highlights how families are using solar energy to fight back against skyrocketing energy costs," said Neal Lurie, Director of Marketing for ASES. "Participants come in curious, but they leave convinced ready to go solar."

According to survey results from last year’s National Solar Tour, 76% of participants said they are definitely or very likely to invest in solar or energy efficient technology after the Tour, compared to 50% before the Tour. A stunning 74% of participants indicated that they had never visited a solar or green-built home prior to this event. Last year’s National Solar Tour attracted more than 115,000 people in 2,900 communities in 46 U.S. states.