Environment & Energy

Eugene

(61,969 posts) Thu Mar 21, 2019, 05:46 PM Mar 2019

Solar and wind firms call the 'Green New Deal' too extreme

Source: Reuters

SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS MARCH 21, 2019 / 7:08 AM / UPDATED 10 HOURS AGO

Solar and wind firms call the 'Green New Deal’ too extreme

Valerie Volcovici, Nichola Groom
7 MIN READ

WASHINGTON/LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - U.S. solar and wind power companies may have the most to gain from the Green New Deal, an ambitious proposal backed by several Democratic presidential candidates to end U.S. fossil fuel consumption within a decade.

But do not expect the renewable energy firms to endorse it.

Representatives of America’s clean energy companies are withholding their support for the climate-fighting plan, calling it unrealistic and too politically divisive for an industry keen to grow in both red and blue states.

The cool reaction reflects the difficulty that progressive politicians vying for the White House may have in selling aggressive global-warming policy to the business community and more moderate voters.

It also underscores a new reality for U.S. solar and wind power companies long associated with the environmental left: As they have improved technology and lowered prices, their growth is shifting from politically liberal coastal states to the more conservative heartland, where skepticism of climate change and government subsidies runs high.

-snip-

Read more: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-greennewdeal-companies/solar-and-wind-firms-call-the-green-new-deal-too-extreme-idUSKCN1R212S

3 replies

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Highlight:

Solar and wind firms call the 'Green New Deal' too extreme (Original Post) Eugene Mar 2019 OP

This news story brought to you by the Koch Brothers Botany Mar 2019 #1

The article is somewhat misleading, steering the reader to believe procon Mar 2019 #2

Real simple solution Finishline42 Mar 2019 #3

Botany

(70,618 posts)

1. This news story brought to you by the Koch Brothers

Reply to Eugene (Original post)

Thu Mar 21, 2019, 05:53 PM

Mar 2019

I might be wrong but this doesn't pass my smell test.

procon

(15,805 posts)

2. The article is somewhat misleading, steering the reader to believe

Reply to Eugene (Original post)

Thu Mar 21, 2019, 06:21 PM

Mar 2019

that the renewable power industry is aligned to oppose Green New Deal. However, near the bottom of the cited article, the truth will out;

“There will be a real danger for our industry and companies if they are shouting out about the Green New Deal from the rooftops.”

So it's not that these renewable power companies are fighting against the idea of new government policies that would expand their business, they want it. But they are genuinely afraid that Trump and the Republicans will retaliate and damage their businesses. There is also the looming threat from the fossil fuel industry with deep ties to the GOP and the old network of legislative bribery and taxpayer funded perks that props up Big Oil while squashing green energy development.

Finishline42

(1,091 posts)

3. Real simple solution

Reply to procon (Reply #2)

Fri Mar 22, 2019, 09:21 PM

Mar 2019

Instead of a grand plan that will take years to pass and hinge on a debate about climate change >>>

Find a way to fund 30% of wind or solar installations specifically for non-profits in exchange for 15% ownership (output). Ever wonder how much the Fed govt pays on an annual basis for electricity?

Non-profits being children's hospitals, churches, homeless shelters, schools, etc. Electricity costs are a cost that just adds to the amount of money they need to provide their services.

Solar fits because there's not a lot of maintenance required, no highly skilled workers to keep it running. Typical warranty for solar PV is 80% output after 25 years. Straight line degradation of less than .5% per year due to exposure to the elements. So you would still have over 50% output after 50 years. They would sorta be a type of endowment for the non-profits.

Besides the 15% output, payback for the system would be the jobs created, the factories needed to supply the panels and frames and the fact that the more we make the cheaper and better they become (just like computers and flat screen TV's).

You could also turn donations to the systems into tax credits.

This would change the debate from if there is climate change to a method to reduce the cost for non-profits to operate and also reduce the cost of govt.

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