Moving Energy Subsidies From Fossil Fuels To Renewables Could Quadruple Jobs

Right now billions in subsides are given to the oil companies from politicians who receive their campaign donations. Yet with a little long range planning, that money could be reinvested into clean energy and quadruple the jobs provided by the current pollution-driven scenario. Nothing good comes from oil, except for the continuation of our petro-economy that is slowly killing our environment and by extension, all of humanity and the biosphere too. So imagine, if you will, the possibilities of a green economy, full of green jobs.

From The NY Times:

Investing in clean energy could create four times as many jobs as investing in the oil industry, according to a report issued on Tuesday by the Sierra Club, United Steelworkers, the Blue Green Alliance, Natural Resources Defense Council and Audubon New York. And clean energy investment would result in about three times the number of good-paying jobs, those that pay at least $16 an hour, according to the report, which was written by the Center for American Progress and the Political Economy Research Institute.

Clean energy, to help deter the effects of global warming, could help reduce New Yorkers’ fears of rising temperatures and receding shorelines. The report encourages investment in six areas: retrofitting buildings to improve energy efficiency, expanding mass transit and freight rail, constructing “smart” electrical grid transmission systems, wind power, solar power and next-generation biofuels.

Such jobs are based on the proposed investment of $100 billion over two years, through a cap-and-trade program like those sponsored last year in Congress that would “drive private investments into clean energy and raise public revenue through carbon permit auctions.” And spending $26 billion on retrofitting, for example, could save $5 billion in energy costs a year, for a net savings after five years or so, according to the report.

Of course not all jobs include going out to remote locations and building giant wind farms. A large part of this budding industry can be found close to home, whether it is by installing small wind generators or simply making current buildings more energy-efficient. Changing the way we live in deference to the future of the planet may sound hard because of the massive scale of our economy. However, there is no better option and honestly, if it pays well to help save the world job by job then that just sweetens the pot.

Bush Administration Slows Growth Of Solar Energy

Despite George Bush's recent overtures towards clean energy, he truly does have his BFFs in the oil and gas industry closest to his heart. Heck, George was a failed oil man himself, drinking Texas Tea and what not before the days in the MLB, State House and White House. So when these pesky solar energy people come riding into town, trying to save us from ourselves, what does Bush have his Administration do?

From The Grist Mill:

BLM contemplates two-year moratorium on solar power plant construction in the West-

Oh, now they care about careful environmental assessment? Oil and gas development is spreading over the American West like a cancer, but this, this solar stuff ... it's a bridge too far!

So Congress and the feds are going to let the solar investment tax credit lapse and institute a moratorium on deployment in the best solar states -- two body blows to an nascent clean energy industry. That is some crackerjack energy policy.

For the oil and gas lobby, it is a solid energy policy plan. With prices going sky high and Americans spending more of their dollars on energy as opposed to anything else, it is a great day indeed. And if that hurts the solar energy that is trying to make a difference on our planet, well then screw em. It's the George Bush way!

Energy Self-Sufficient Households Are A Reality

Can you live in an American house, drive an American car yet not contribute one single gram of carbon-based pollution into the atmosphere. Most people would automatically answer no, but not Mike Strizki of Central New Jersey. His home is completely self-sufficient and does not require outside power or gasoline for his car, the Earth does it all for him, for a "small" set-up fee.

From Scientific American:

EAST AMWELL, N.J.—Mike Strizki has not paid an electric, oil or gas bill—nor has he spent a nickel to fill up his Mercury Sable—in nearly two years. Instead, the 51-year-old civil engineer makes all the fuel he needs using a system he built in the capacious garage of his home, which employs photovoltaic (PV) panels to turn sunlight into electricity that is harnessed in turn to extract hydrogen from tap water.

Although the device cost $500,000 to construct, and it is unlikely it will ever pay off financially (even with today's skyrocketing oil and gas prices), the civil engineer says it is priceless in terms of what it does buy: freedom from ever paying another heating or electric bill, not to mention keeping a lid on pollution, because water is its only by-product.

"The ability to make your own fuel is priceless," says the man known as "Mr. Gadget" to his friends. He boasts a collection of hydrogen-powered and electric vehicles, including a hydrogen-run lawn mower and car (the Sable, which he redesigned and named the "Genesis") as well as an electric racing boat, and even an electric motorcycle. "All the technology is off-the-shelf. All I'm doing is putting them together."

He paid $100,000 coupled with $400,000 in various grant money. Now he pays nothing for gas, electric and anything that is needed to power all of his appliances, gadgets and whatever device that requires fuel. Zero pollution is fantastic, but who can afford such a heavy price tag? The public utility commissions of America aren't going to grant everyone nearly half a million dollars. However, if our national government could divert a fraction of the money going to death and destruction in Iraq and move it to building industry that can increase the supply of this technology, the price of self-sufficiency would look a lot more affordable.

Albany Puts A Bill Together For Solar Power

Albany is full of legislative failures, but there are a few gems hidden here and there amidst the deadlock our capital is famous for. Solar energy is an important part of a 21st century solution to our energy crisis in New York, the nation and the world. So doing something about it at the macro-level makes sense. Solar power is still expensive, but the state can take action to make the decision easier for property owners with access to a slice of the sky.

From The Times-Union:

Bills adopted by the Legislature this week give income tax credits to homeowners who invest in solar thermal energy systems. Owners of large apartment buildings and other residential property in New York City would get property tax breaks for installing photovoltaic solar electric systems.

"I think many businesses, which have been on the fence about making the solar investment, will immediately reconsider because of this breakthrough," said Shaun Chapman, of the not-for-profit Vote Solar Initiative.

The property tax abatement could be worth up to 35 percent of the cost of a photovoltaic system -- which can cost $25,000 or more -- over the course of five years, said Chapman. The abatements could cut property taxes by 8.75 percent through 2011, with a maximum savings of $62,500.

The solar thermal system tax credit -- which is worth $5,000 off income taxes against a system that can cost up to $30,000 -- extends to upstate property owners, said Richard Schrader, state legislative director of the Natural Resources Defense Council. The value of the tax credit is good to be used over a five-year period.

Amazingly, the Assembly and the Senate put bills together on this. So Governor Paterson should have no problem signing the bill when it comes to his desk. This is a great step, if the city and the state could follow through and put photo-voltaic systems on the roofs of their buildings, it would set a great example for those of us in the private sector to make the same commitment. Personally, I have solar-powered lights on the side of my apartment, but unfortunately they only power two little LEDs a piece. If my landlord would cover the top of the building with solar cells.....now that would be great to see.