Most of the publicity regarding solar power in the U.S. in recent months has been negative, revolving on the demise of companies like Solyndra LLC and other domestic manufacturers who have not fared well. Of the five solar manufacturers that received 2009 stimulus funds, two have filed for bankruptcy.
Increasingly, foreign manufacturers, including China but also Western Europe have dropped their prices, helping to power a boom in domestic installations. ColarCity Corp., who finances and installs rooftop solar systems, states that "Most of the jobs are in delivery and they're long-term, permanent jobs".
In 2012, the U.S. is on pace to install 2,500 megawatts of solar power, the equivalent of two nuclear power plants, according to the Solar Energy Industries Association. Additionally, the cost per watt of solar power is increasingly competitive with that of fossil fuels, which can only help cut greenhouse gas emissions and help fight climate change.
Saturday, September 22, 2012
Sunday, September 9, 2012
Odd Environmental Bedfellows on Need to Limit Natural Gas Exports
Both the American Chemistry Council, a trade group of chemical makers, and the Sierra Club, a major environmental group, agree that American natural gas should remain in the United States.
The American Chemistry Assoc. feels that a long-term supply of natural gas would drive the American economy to new heights and become a major job-producing engine. The Sierra Club, on the other hand, wants to limit exports to drive down the amount of "fracking" that has to go on to produce this abundant supply of natural gas, reducing environmental damage.
In any event, the Department of Energy will be weighing the competing interests as it prepares to make its decisions on whether to grant export licenses for natural gas. Advocates of more exports say that even more jobs could be created, and that it would help keep American production humming. It would also raise the price of domestic natural gas, which has dropped approximately 70% in recent years.
On the other hand, gas in Asia sells for as much as eight times what it does in the U.S. It appears, however, that the lack of export facilities would limit the volume of gas in any event, until new facilities can be built. Cheniere Energy, Inc., a Louisiana gas exporter, says that there are 32 states that currently produce natural gas, and argues that export licenses should be granted to speed economic development.
The American Chemistry Assoc. feels that a long-term supply of natural gas would drive the American economy to new heights and become a major job-producing engine. The Sierra Club, on the other hand, wants to limit exports to drive down the amount of "fracking" that has to go on to produce this abundant supply of natural gas, reducing environmental damage.
In any event, the Department of Energy will be weighing the competing interests as it prepares to make its decisions on whether to grant export licenses for natural gas. Advocates of more exports say that even more jobs could be created, and that it would help keep American production humming. It would also raise the price of domestic natural gas, which has dropped approximately 70% in recent years.
On the other hand, gas in Asia sells for as much as eight times what it does in the U.S. It appears, however, that the lack of export facilities would limit the volume of gas in any event, until new facilities can be built. Cheniere Energy, Inc., a Louisiana gas exporter, says that there are 32 states that currently produce natural gas, and argues that export licenses should be granted to speed economic development.
Saturday, September 1, 2012
British Conservative Makes Interesting Pro-Environmental Argument
Roger Scruton, author of "How To Think Seriously About The Planet", argues in his book that the pursuit of environmentalism has little to do with the environmental movement. He points out that many people who have labeled themselves climatologists "are not in the first rank of scientific minds...they are particularly good at mathematical modeling...computer science...physics,...(or) chemistry."
Scruton thinks that many of the figures in the environmental movement feel that the "world is misgoverned...There's the rejection of your own country, of your own government." He feels that this attitude is what has transferred itself into the resentment displayed by many in the environmental movements.
Scruton, among others, feels that it is important to invest citizens with the knowledge of environmental matters so that individuals and businesses can use their own initiative to address and solve environmental problems, and not rely on governments of non-elected bodies such as the U.N. to solve them. People should not only concentrate on the accumulation of excess waste in manufacturing and energy consumption, but demand more accountability by all aspects of society to stop fouling the air and the water. Perhaps the worldwide economic downturn will contribute to an attitude that "less is more" and began to take some of the sheen off the attitude that consumer demand for the newest gadget will somehow drive us to a higher standard of living.
The same methods of community involvement and activism which was so successful in making serious advances possible for women, Blacks, and other racial and lifestyle minorities should be brought to bear on what possibly might be a long-term battle of grave importance, preserving what is left of the environment and earth's ecosystem.
Scruton thinks that many of the figures in the environmental movement feel that the "world is misgoverned...There's the rejection of your own country, of your own government." He feels that this attitude is what has transferred itself into the resentment displayed by many in the environmental movements.
Scruton, among others, feels that it is important to invest citizens with the knowledge of environmental matters so that individuals and businesses can use their own initiative to address and solve environmental problems, and not rely on governments of non-elected bodies such as the U.N. to solve them. People should not only concentrate on the accumulation of excess waste in manufacturing and energy consumption, but demand more accountability by all aspects of society to stop fouling the air and the water. Perhaps the worldwide economic downturn will contribute to an attitude that "less is more" and began to take some of the sheen off the attitude that consumer demand for the newest gadget will somehow drive us to a higher standard of living.
The same methods of community involvement and activism which was so successful in making serious advances possible for women, Blacks, and other racial and lifestyle minorities should be brought to bear on what possibly might be a long-term battle of grave importance, preserving what is left of the environment and earth's ecosystem.
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