Should The U.S Have A Clean Energy Policy Or Not

• The Federal government has aggressively committed to supporting clean energy over the last few years.

• More importantly, based on early returns, this support for clean energy appears to have paid off handsomely.

• In spite of the success of these policies, many of them are about to vanish.

Experts from Brookings, Breakthough Institute and WRI released a report today with some insightful and thought-provoking conclusions.  In it, they quantify the amount of government funding provided to clean energy from 2009-2014 and the rate that funding will fall off post 2014 (from $44 billion in 2009, to $16.1 billion in 2012, to $11.0 billion in 2014), and the impact that will have on clean technology industries. The report then outlines a host of policy reforms that would improve the efficiency and functioning of our clean energy policy framework.  It represents a well-researched and well-intentioned attempt to start a conversation about energy policy reform that we really need to be having.

Do you think we should continue and thus have a Clean Energy Policy or should we just forget about it all together and stick with what we’ve been doing for the past 100-years -

What Do You Think…?

New Report Highlights Importance of Clean Energy Policy, as Well As Need For Reform

U.S. Clean Energy Policies Risk Losing Lead Over China

Alex Morales, Bloomberg News  – The U.S. government is creating a “boom and bust” in renewable energy investment that threatens to undermine its lead over China, the Pew Charitable Trusts said in a report.

U.S. investment reached $48.1 billion in 2011, largely in wind and solar power, the Washington-based research group said last night in a report based on Bloomberg New Energy Finance data. Those funds trumped the $45.5 billion China allocated to renewables, for lead for the U.S. since 2008. … Continue Reading

Is Solar Power Really too Expensive or Is that Just What Opponents Want You to Think

Example of a centralized solar plant model where everything would be controlled by the utility company - even price.

Recently I visited the west coast of the U.S. and being a resident of Florida for the past twenty-plus years I must say that I was totally exhilarated by what I saw in California, and totally disappointed with what I know to be the case in Florida. Over and over, I saw the rooftops of homes covered with solar panels. Compare that to what is the case in Florida where such a sight is barely nascent. The simple fact is that Florida (the Sunshine State) homeowners are virtually non-existent when it comes to distributive solar power or rooftop solar. How is this possible when you consider the following presumption… … Continue Reading

How About a U.S. 50% Carbon Neutral in 40 Years?

A biodiesel tractor on Samso

To read full story…

What do you think… If it weren’t for opposition from Big Oil, could the U.S. ever become even 50% Carbon Neutral?

Most Energy Efficient Place on Earth?

A biodiesel tractor on Samso

Denmark’s Samso Island is a sort of paradise for renewable energy enthusiasts. The residents have created, in just over a decade, a 100 percent carbon neutral, self-sufficient community.The local Samso Energy Academy is an example for other areas around the globe who might want to create an economic environment that is good for the ecological environment. … Continue Reading

North America’s Largest Rooftop Solar Power Plant Formally Completed

The Riverside Project calls for the installation of 27528 photovoltaic rooftop solar - that's plenty of jobs created and energy being saved.

GLOUCESTER CITY, N.J., PRNewswire via COMTEX/ — U.S. Rep. Robert Andrews, D-N.J., today presented Gloucester Marine Terminal officials with an award letter announcing an $11 million federal tax credit rebate for the recently-completed groundbreaking new rooftop solar power plant project, the largest of its kind in North America. … Continue Reading

Clean energy becoming a needed reality for the Great Lakes

If the U.S. wants wind power, The Great Lakes are definitely windy.

Illinois and four other states came a step closer to offshore wind farms in the Great Lakes (New, April 1), and that is welcome news. Wind farms, once mocked by climate skeptics and opponents of renewable energy, are now a profitable way to generate clean electricity for our homes and businesses. … Continue Reading