I was Too Early on Solar Power; 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. The Mormon Tabernacle Choir even agreed to participate in one event.
People were just starting to get excited about pollution-free power, but then Ronald Reagan became president and took the solar panels off the White House and the policies promoting renewable energy were stripped from the books.
In 1975 I produced a short film called “The Solar Film.” The people interviewed in the 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.
April 3rd, 2009 - 1:03 pm
Please contact me at: MEStoesser @aol.com I’m trying to get an update re: article by Paul Foy, “Utah Land Avoids Oil Industry” posted Feb. 5.
What happended (if anything) with BLM auction on 3/24/09 with parcels in “redrock country”.
I’ve tried to ‘blog’ on “The Green” & this site, only to get blased out by AOL.
(Am receiving my subscribed to messages on e-mail site). Greatful for direct update, if you can do. Kindest regards, El
April 17th, 2009 - 12:56 pm
“…bold, visionary actions we need right now.”
How bad do things have to get before ALL solutions are considered?
The most efficient, available, affordable, environmentally beneficial, and potentially abundant solar panel on Earth is the Cannabis leaf. I’m disappointed that Mr. Redford hasn’t publicly acknowledged the critical importance of industrial hemp agriculture. It’s a critical “strategic resource” that deserves widespread, primary consideration.
The NRDC would benefit from Mr. Redford’s leadership in calling for an objective and comprehensive revaluation of Cannabis agriculture, manufacture and trade in the context of present crises potentiating extinction.
We are on the verge of irreversible synergistic collapse of environment, economics and social order. Unless Cannabis agriculture is recognized as an unique and essential resource, our species will never see the end of this Century.
May 6th, 2009 - 1:41 am
Mr. Redford,
A) Solar tec. is due for a big jump ahead. The first improvement could be easily
placed by providing the average home owner with an effective and in expensive piece of legislation. If the power grid was required to by back power, without the home owner being subjected to ridiculous surcharges, the expense of power storage would immediately disappear. The resulting increase in product demand
would do more than the constitution equipped the executive office to do on it’s own. {The U.S. Treasury used to ’stock’ people for doing this ’sort of thing’, have you noticed where they have all gone? (The U.S House is limited to ‘real concerns’, in case you find yourself talking to a wall.)}
B) As far back as Kent, the US Federal courts decided that the property rights of any person are secondary to his/her need to hear a law enforcement officer read the Miranda’s. The U.S hasn’t ‘fallen behind’, it has lost the, very real, capacity to ’show up for the foot race’ altogether. You can just go to any mall or lumberyard and try to ‘Buy American made’, you will immediately see the true genius in trusting the prosecutor to find you a good attorney. (Responsibilty is not mentioned in the judicial part of the Constiution, to save you all a lot on postage.)
C) I have heard several rumours that the ‘true origins of Sundance’ lie in play-writers, trying to get a job, on a set where you were working. Any comments?
June 28th, 2009 - 11:13 pm
Please visit the Rate Crimes blog. I attempt to explain how and why the electric utilities and their partners in the most sun-soaked state manipulate the economics of energy to supress the value of solar energy and energy conservation in order to maintain the dangerous status quo of coal and nuclear energy.
August 12th, 2009 - 12:46 pm
[...] Solar panels are certainly sexier than insulation, and new LEED-certified buildings look better on the front page than aging houses. Are aesthetics the main reason that newer technologies and practices get all the attention, while retrofits and efficiency upgrades are relegated to the sidelines of most conversations about a clean energy future? [...]