Weathering the challenges ahead for renewable energy

[OKIsItJustMe]

http://thehill.com/blogs/congress-blog/energy-a-environment/197169-weathering-the-challenges-ahead-for-renewable-energy

Weathering the challenges ahead for renewable energy

By Arno Harris, CEO of Recurrent Energy - 12/05/11 11:38 AM ET

There’s a chill in the air that hints at the stormy weather ahead for renewable energy. After several years of success, the political winds have shifted and the water has grown choppy. We’re entering an election year when Americans are sincerely worried that our nation has lost its way in a world that looks increasingly unstable. In the resulting atmosphere of uncertainty, America’s rudderless energy policy stokes suspicion and fear.

What’s worse, our leaders seem incapable of pointing us in an inspiring direction. Despite polls that show widespread public support for renewable energy from both Democrats and Republicans, the industry has fallen victim to political gamesmanship and bi-partisan gridlock.

In some ways, the current environment feels a little bewildering because of the success we’ve had over the last few years. Whether through luck or design, the intersection of a few state RPSs and federal tax credits delivered a potent formula for demand that also facilitated large flows of capital across the value chain. A whiff of progressive optimism didn’t hurt either.

The growth and advances that resulted during this period have cemented solid gains. Wind and solar energy, once at the fringe, are increasingly accepted as part of the mainstream energy industry. And while it is still early days for smart grid, efficiency and demand management, they have earned a consistent priority in our national dialogue.

…

[DCKit]

1. This article accomplishes nothing but to raise doubts among those still on the fence...

and justification of those in the pocket of Big Oil, Big Coal and the Wall St./commodities traders who make billions acting as middle men in the fossil fuel trade (where they have no business being).

By this point, most (thinking) people understand that AltEnergy works and that the prices have declined enough to have become competetive (even without subsidies) with fossil fuels.

If the rest still won't get on board, let's just tell them the alternative is a nuclear plant in their back yard... but they'll have to wait about thirty years and pay 10x the original projected costs. Solar or wind? Yeah, we can deliver that in your lifetime.

[OKIsItJustMe]

2. If I only posted items on one side of an issue, I’d be no better than FOX “News”

We need to be realistic about the challenges we face.

[FBaggins]

3. How dare you imply that there are ANY challenges?

You're going to get kicked out of the club for being too rational. :)