A recent article from Reuters (see bottom of post) highlights the lagging demand that the electricity-generation industry faces. Coal-fired  facilities are being scaled down across the country, forced to cut back production spurred by a lack of demand caused by the recession. The drop in demand is largely due to weaker numbers from industrial electricity consumers, and this trend is projected to continue. There is no better time to replace the old methods of generation with renewable energy generation technologies. Demand will rise again when the economy rises, but now that we are in a low-tide of demand it is time to stabilize the moorings of the energy generation sector.

  There is a green-lining to this cloud: because of reduced demand for electricity, the time has never been better to make the easiest possible shift from carbon to clean energy generation. This painless transition would be enabled by the CEDA/Green Bank, which, by lowering the cost of debt, will enable retail electricity rates to remain stable and shareholders to be held harmless during this shift. Millions of jobs will be created during this transition, and we will stabilize and expand the generation, manufacturing and transmission industries in the United States.

  There is no question that there will be a shift towards a more renewably focused energy industry in the United States, it is simply a question of whether we will take decisive action to make a seamless transition or if we will risk losing the entire renewable energy value chain to China.


Posted by: Alex Kragie

http://www.reuters.com/article/GCA-BusinessofGreen/idUSTRE57Q43O20090827

 
Recess 08/13/2009
 
It's August in Washington, DC and the Senate is on recess, back at home taking the temperature of their constituents. This is an excellent time for action. Let Congress know that you want Energy Legislation that has the four elements of the strongest possible job-creation engine that Congress could produce:

-Renewable Electricity Standards to create demand for renewable energy
-Transmission legislation that assures that supply comes from optimal locations
-A CEDA/Green Bank that finances new renewable energy supply without raising prices to consumers or hurting shareholders
-Caps that guarantee that utilities phase out the dirtiest power first

Call or write your Senators, let them know that you want Energy Legislation that works for all Americans.

Posted by: Alex Kragie