Do We Have the Will To Find the Way?

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The bid to bring renewable power to the U.S. is facing a tougher time this year than in previous years.

The New York Times reported earlier this month, in “Cost of Green Power Makes Projects Tougher Sell,” that “even as many politicians, environmentalists and consumers want renewable energy and reduced dependence on fossil fuels, a growing number of projects are being canceled or delayed because governments are unwilling to add even small amounts to consumers’ electricity bills.”

Year-to-date installations of new wind power dropped 72 percent from 2009 levels, according to a press release from the American Wind Energy Association.

As authors Matthew Wald and Tom Zeller Jr. note, “Electricity generated from wind or sun still generally costs more — and sometimes a lot more — than the power squeezed from coal or natural gas.” That gap in price “can pit regulators, who see their job as protecting consumers from unreasonable rates, against renewable energy developers and utility companies, many of which are willing to pay higher prices now to ensure a broader energy portfolio in the future.”

One example: “The state public utilities commission in Rhode Island rejected a power-purchase deal for an offshore wind project that would have cost 24.4 cents a kilowatt-hour. The utility now pays about 9.5 cents a kilowatt hour for electricity from fossil fuels. The state legislature responded by passing a bill allowing the regulators to consider factors other than price. The commission then approved an agreement to buy electricity from a smaller wind farm.” That decision is being challenged in the courts.

“One of the problems in the United States is that we haven’t been willing to confront the tough questions,” Paul Gipe told the Times. Gipe sits on the steering committee of the Alliance for Renewable Energy. “We have to ask ourselves, ‘Do we really want renewables?’” he said. “And if the answer to that is yes, then we’re going to have to pay for them.”

A new group out to articulate that tradeoff is the Progressive Business Leaders Network, self-described as “business leaders committed to socially and environmentally responsible economic growth and the public policies that advance it.”

Its Energy & Environment Working Group has, according to the website, “addressed the economics of wind energy, the impact of buildings on the environment, and increasing energy access, efficiency and affordability. Their current focus is the role business can play in addressing climate change and the economic and environmental implications of doing nothing.”

The working group is chaired by Mitch Tyson, CEO of Advanced Electron Beams, Inc., and coordinated by Roger Freeman, CEO of Solventerra LLC. The website lists policy positions and encourages business leaders to sign any or all of the statements, which PBLN may use publicly in its campaigns.

“A lot of our people feel like the business agenda of ‘cut my taxes and cut regulation’ has contributed to the economic disaster,” said Andy Tarsy at an event held by PBLN last month and covered by the Boston Globe. Tarsy cofounded PBLN and is now its executive director. “There’s a lack of vision of what’s good for the country, as opposed to narrow business interests,” he said. “Business has to be more creative and think about the long term.”

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Comments (5)
Vladimir Kedrov
We have no will at all. "Featherless bipeds with long flat nail". As long as "business-as-usual" is a key scenario - we will look at the renewables only from the standpoint of poise and rationality - that's... uh, who cares... let's better burn some more coal it's cheaper.
William Xifaras
At some point the price of fossil fuels will culminate, leaving us in an extremely weak position. Renewable energy sources, though costlier now, must be seriously pursued. 

As mentioned, vision needs to focus on greater good. Perhaps a think tank, which would be comprised of government and private specialists, could develop a system that rewards private industry for its involvement.
Andrew McFarland
We're _already_ paying more for fossil fuels than we believe but those costs are hidden in defense spending.  If we added costs to protect our interests in oil overseas, what kind of apples:apples comparison could we draw about total costs?
Viktor O. Ledenyov
Does the US President Barack Obama and the White House administration have a political will to make the necessary changes toward the society innovation including the renewable energy, nanoelectronics, quantum computing and ICT? This is a key question to think about.

Viktor O. Ledenyov, Ukraine
Leslie Brokaw
By coincidence, news this afternoon in Massachusetts, as reported by the Boston Globe:

"The state Department of Public Utilities gave permission today for National Grid to purchase half of Cape Wind's power, removing the last significant hurdle for the controversial wind farm to start construction in Nantucket Sound next year.

"However, the agency refused to approve a second agreement for the sale of the other 50 percent of the project's power. Without a buyer for that power, that decision could severely hurt Cape Wind's efforts to get financing for the proposed 130-turbine project, energy specialists say, with some suggesting only half of the turbines may now be built.

"'The power from this contract is expensive in light of today's energy prices,' the 374-page DPU decision reads. 'It may also be expensive in light of forecasted energy prices -- although less so than its critics suggest. There are opportunities to purchase renewable energy less expensively. However, it is abundantly clear that the Cape Wind facility offers significant benefits that are not currently available from any other renewable resource.'" 

Read more here:
http://www.boston.com/lifestyle/green/greenblog/2010/11/state_gives_national_grid_appr.html

Here's the order:
http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/Cape_Wind_order/

A timeline of Cape Wind, prepared by the Boston Globe:
http://www.boston.com/lifestyle/green/gallery/Cape_Wind_timeline/