This is why I have been working nearly 7 days a week for nearly the last year.
"A congressional stand-off that has blocked extension of federal tax credits for renewable energy projects is setting off a boom in the wind and solar industries. Developers and customers are racing to install systems by year's end to qualify for the credits, which can cut the cost of a large commercial system by 30%."
So what exactly has tied it up?
"Extension of the tax credits has wide support in Congress, but the issue has bogged down in partisan battles. Senate Democrats insist the subsidies — costing the Treasury at least $1.7 billion a year — be offset with new revenue, while Republicans insist on an energy package that includes offshore oil drilling."
Do you see where this is going? Yeah, I thought so. Does anyone seriously believe there is going to be a shred of difference between a President McCain and a President Obama on alternative energy? Please factor in the equation that these tax credits were first put in by a REPUBLICAN congress (under Clinton) and renewed and signed by GEORGE MF-ING BUSH. Yeah, I thought so.
The time for bi-partisan solutions is long past us. If Obama would please realize that, I might vote for him yet.
- herb the verb's blog
- Login or register to post comments
Front page
Comments
herb, we'll get there
not soon enough, but in the long run i'm not worried. in this state the gov is getting much better on altenergy issues, and seems to recognize that the state is going to have to step in an arrange new credits and benefits attached to those projects that are in the right direction. like i said, it won't be soon enough, but i agree that we're going to have to pressure the obama admin very hard to have a come to jeebus moment on why the need for these credits, and so much more, is urgently needed.
ChiDy--w/ global warming, if it's not soon enough, it's way too
late--as I understand things.
I can't believe this is still not being addressed with a megapowered team effort to find ways to curb carbon output, decrease dependence on carbon based fuels, etc.
But Jared Diamond's book Collapse lays it all out--people tend to think everything will continue as it always (in their living and collective memories) has done.
We are so fucked.
We are working on that right now
for example. So I know already....
-----------------------------
Around these parts we call cucumber slices circle bites
-----------------------------
I'm not such a bad guy once you get to know me.
jawbone, i've believed we're fucked, enviro-speaking
for some time now. which is why i don't really worry about it so much; i am just trying to exist in the reality that i must encounter. it's a shame, really, b/c i think i saw in my lifetime that window of opportunity close, but as you say, people will prefer to believe that things will 'always be so,' and avoid the hard work of change frequently, if not almost always.
anyway: i've got a well, and a garden, and soon solar panels and wind generators. it's the best i can do.
How to Move Energy Forward
WE have to force the Feds to do what is necessary. The simplest way to do that is to do it ourselves, in public. Thirty years ago, we used to do solar barnraisings. Just recently, local groups have started weatherization barnraisings with solar barnraisings in the planning stage. Video them and put them online. Make energy education 30 second and 60 second ads that show people exactly what they need to do in order to save energy and money this winter. Take solar and energy education to farmers' markets to educate a core constituency which is more likely to do something themselves.
But then, I've been advising these actions for years now. Talk to the politicians, if you must, but start the changes that you can on the ground at the grassroots now. When enough people are using their own solar power, doing their own weatherization and telling their neighbors about it, then the politicians will have to take notice.
Obama could have followed up his tire gauge comments with more immediately useful automotive advice: change air and oil filters, get regular tune-ups, keep your tires aligned... Then followed that information up with hypermiling tips.
My solar game plan is more fully explained at http://solarray.blogspot.com/2004/12/thr...
and my weak attempts at solar PSAs are at http://www.youtube.com/gmoke
Solar is civil defense
Solar is civil defense