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Once Too Early on Solar Power - Now, Let's Not Be Too Late
In his State of the Union address, President Obama noted that although America invented solar energy technology, we have fallen behind countries like Germany and Japan in producing it. He is right of course.
I remember when America was leading the pack on clean energy in the 1970s. We abdicated that leadership thanks to the influence of a fossil fuel industry with deep pockets and friends in the White House. But Obama reminded us of an important aspect of the American character: ingenuity. We are a nation of innovators, and we can harness that resourcefulness again to build a better future.
I saw that ingenuity emerge three decades ago, when the promise of renewable energy became clear to many of us. We were so eager to spread the word about solar power that we created "Sun Day," the solar equivalent of Earth Day. We had events from Maine to Chicago to the Lincoln Memorial in Washington DC. I even got the Mormon Tabernacle Choir to participate in one event.
People were just starting to get excited about pollution-free power, but then Ronald Reagan became president and the solar panels came off the White House and the policies promoting renewable energy were stripped from the books.
That same year, a short documentary I produced came out called The Solar Film. The people interviewed in film say they like how solar power cuts down on their bills, doesn't have to be imported, and makes them worry less about terrorists. All of those benefits remain extremely relevant today, but we have lost three decades in the effort to extend them to more Americans.
I was too early in my efforts to promote solar power, but now is the time. We are getting a second chance -- another American trait. If we don't seize this moment, we will be too late to get the competitive advantage in a global marketplace, too late for the economic dividends, and too late to stave off the worst of global warming.
The Obama administration wants to see America double our supply of renewable energy in the next three years. Many lawmakers want to pass a national renewable portfolio standard, which would require a certain percentage of our country's electricity generation to come from clean sources like solar and wind. Congress will likely vote this year on a bill to limit global warming pollution that will dramatically expand the market for clean power. These are the kind of bold, visionary actions we need right now. I urge you to call on your representatives to support them.
In this time of economic crisis and uncertainty, I am reminded of being a child during World War II. I have no nostalgia for the turmoil and suffering of those days, but I do recall the communal effort, the sense that we all rallied around to support the greater good. Today we are trying to achieve the greater good of shared prosperity, and I believe it will be built on a clean and affordable energy economy. With enough resourcefulness, I know we can do it this time around.
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Show AllPresident Obama’s Energy Challenge / President Obamas energiutmaning
February 25, 2009
In his speech to Congress, President Obama pointed out the importance of energy for our society. Once again he said that the USA would double its production of renewable energy in the next three years and that energy imports will decrease. It is time to look at a few numbers to see what the implications of this assertion are in reality.
Statistics on energy in America are published by the Energy Information Agency, the EIA, . First, let us examine what they classify as renewable energy. Under this heading we find: biomass, geothermal energy, hydroelectricity, solar energy and wind energy. During 2007, renewable energy made up 6.7% of American energy use. Expressed in quadrillions of Btu, the number is 6.83. During the last three years this has grown from 6.26 qBtu, i.e. by 9%. To increase the rate of expansion to 100% in the coming three years is an enormous challenge. Hydroelectricity has not increased for many years and, during the next three years, we cannot assume any expansion will occur. Presumably they did not include hydroelectricity as a renewable sources when they were talking of doubling these. Biomass makes the biggest contribution with 3.6 qBtu and has increased by 20% in the last three years. A one hundred percent increase in the next three years is an enormous challenge. From a low level of 0.142 qBtu, wind energy has increased to 0.319 qBtu, i.e. by 125% and a continued increase by 100% is possible but 0.32 qBtu comprises only 0.3% of energy use in the USA. Solar energy is 0.08 qBtu and during the last three years has grown by 23%.
For renewable energy including hydroelectricity to double in the next three years is impossible. To double renewable energy excluding hydroelectricity in the next three years is an enormous challenge, primarily because increased use of bioenergy also requires expansion of infrastructure in the form of ethanol factories, thermal power generation etc. The expansion cannot be done in a period of three years. Wind and solar energy can be doubled in three years but their significance for American energy consumption is very marginal. From a starting point of 0.4% of consumption they can, under very optimistic circumstances, grow to 1% of consumption.
It is time for the Secretary of Energy Steven Chu to step in and explain to President Obama that his assertions are not realistic.
from http://aleklett.wordpress.com/
Robert, you should run for Congress.
Good idea. Hope he comes to NY and runs against Schumer, the champion of Israel. Schumer can go run in Tel Aviv.
Joe
We can't put a man on the moon in just seven years.
We can't bust the atom wide open in just three years.
Can't can't can't. Take your stats and come back in three years.
You know something else? If we don't start, we certainly won't.
I hate having to start over again 30 years later -- I am infinitely older, and weary of the fight. But now we have a chance to be heard, now we have a chance, even here in good-ol-boy used-ta-be-red-state Nevada to put Solarsheats and Mariah wind generators on low-income units, we have wind farms going in up in the foothills, our hydroelectric and geothermal capacities are being enthusiastically explored. Economcally viable, politically warm-an-fuzzy.
We are still a country with infinite capacity for creativity and ingenuity. We are still a people with hope in our hearts.
Thank you Mr. Redford for your constancy.
We can. We can. Yes. Yes.
Misfit: Good points. I, too, am older and weary of the fight but clean energy advocates are starting to win some battles. When citizens of Kansas, of all places, stop construction of new coal-fired power plants, we know the paradigm has to be shifting.
Redford points out what Obama brought up in his Feb 17 speech. We are a nation of innovation and creativity. Committing to getting to the moon in 1961 and landing on it in 1969 was brilliant proof of America's "can-do" character.
Clean, reliable renewable energy technologies are here now and will only improve with time. The desperate need for more power--particularly clean power--plus the good old profit motive can work wonders, if we let it.
For a quick way to urge your senators and congressperson to support renewable energy legislation this year, go to:
http://freesolaradvice.blogspot.com/2009/03/take-action-for-more-clean-energy.html
Hey Mr. Redford...
I think you are a fine actor and activist...
Thank you for the Sundance film festival...
I disagree that Solar was introduced too early...
There were even photo-voltaics on the white house roof in the late '70's...
Had Poppy Bush not cut a deal with the Iranian terrorists to hold the hostages till after Reagans inauguration, he never would have been president and torn them off the white house roof... Just because big oil has dictated US energy policy for the last 28 years doesn't mean the solar movement was too early... Tens of thousands of houses and sailboats have solar panels... and there are many states, counties, municipalities, and businesses that use them as well...
As oil prices rise again, more people and organizations will make the transition to solar and other renewables...
Good luck with getting this current administration to invest in solar...
Good Article. If we could just get the rest of the ignorant masses to realize the power we get from solar power can be used to improve homeless communities.