November 18, 2008
At times of presidential elections—particularly groundbreaking elections like the most recent one—we can lose sight of the hundreds of initiatives that gain enough support to be admitted onto state ballot papers. But the significance of ballot initiatives should not be underestimated: they often turn into state law, and even when they fail can act as a measure of popular opinion on a number of issues. In Massachusetts this year, for example, voters rejected the opportunity to end state income tax while voting to ban greyhound racing in the Bay State. Californian voters agreed with a proposition not to allow gay marriage and—surprisingly, on the surface—rejected another that would have required state utilities to obtain 50% of their power from renewables by 2025.
Yes, that last one is surprising, considering the leading role California plays in promoting the use of renewables, particularly solar power. But given its good intent, Proposition 7 attracted a surprising number of opponents, including the League of Conservation Voters, the Environmental Defense Fund, the Natural Resources Defense Council, the Union of Concerned Scientists, the Sierra Club, both major political parties and dozens of clean energy companies. It was also opposed by area utilities, who are not usually to be found making common cause with environmentally focused groups. Supporting the proposition were the Community Environmental Council (CEC) of Santa Barbara, city and state officials and individual members of other environmental/energy groups like the Rainforest Action Network and the International Solar Energy Society. (more…)
November 14, 2008
In a joint news conference last week, the leaders of four renewable energy (RE) trade associations affirmed their support for the incoming Administration’s position that renewable energies are the key to reinvigorating the economy, and their belief that the industries they represent are ready to lead the recovery.
The news conference featured the president of the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) and the executive directors of the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA), the Geothermal Energy Association (GEA) and the National Hydropower Association (NHA). In their joint statement the Association heads declared that:
“The fast-growing renewable energy sector is poised to help lead the U.S. economic recovery with millions of new jobs and billions of private investment dollars. However, the new Administration and Congress need to take action to ensure that the renewable industries’ growth continues, given the current economic realities.” (more…)
November 13, 2008
The case can be made that all times are times that try men’s souls. Thomas Paine saw the revolutionary period in America as a particularly noteworthy—or quote-worthy—example of the effect, but we think a competent historian could label any period as a trying time for some, if not all, of a population.
Of course, compared to what we’ve been through in the last year in the name of renewable energy, we feel churlish in considering this politically transitional period as ‘trying’. The candidate who described the most forward-looking and comprehensive renewable energy plan is the one who will move into the White House in January, a change of address that will encourage most clean energy advocates. And his holding fast to that plan throughout the primary and general election seasons gives us reason to hope that his positions were true positions, not just seines for catching and releasing environmental voters. (more…)
November 6, 2008
Hard on the heels of Congress extending investment tax credits for solar power and lifting the cap on residential installations, some states and utilities are cutting back, commensurately, on their own incentive and rebate programs.
The State of Connecticut is the first to do so, although New Jersey is also considering lowering the value of its incentives, and Xcel Energy in Colorado has already announced a shifting of its incentives from residential to large-scale renewable projects.
Well over half of states in the country offer some sort of program to help homeowners with solar installations, and many may look to reduce their costs as the federal incentives come into play. It’s probable, however, that the money saved by states in this way will go into other renewable energy or energy efficiency programs.
It would be worthwhile, at this point, for solar citizens to check whether their state energy administration or their utility is planning adjustments to its rebate/incentive program.
