Watership Down

Energy funding

Germany's energy industry is sent a clear signal in 2007:

For decades, German lawmakers have propped up the industry, unwilling to risk massive layoffs and reluctant to eliminate a reliable energy source as gas and oil supplies become scarcer.

But after spending more than $200 billion in subsidies since the 1960s, the federal government this year decided that the practice had become unaffordable. The 2018 sunset for the hard-coal industry was set.

In 2006 renewables accounted for 5.8% of Germany's energy production:

Renewable energy accounted for 5.8 percent of primary energy consumption in Germany 2006 and the share of renewable energy in total gross electricity consumption rose to 12 percent.

And Germany in 2007? The share of renewables had increased to 8.6%.  My guess for 2008? 11-12%.  See what can happen when we invest in domestic energy production instead of "Operation Iraqi Freedom"?

Letter to the Editor

This Sunday author France Moore Lappe challenged visitors of the Northern Arizona Sustainable Living Fair to rethink our democracy. With our everyday lives dependent on fossil fuels are we really free citizens or just consumers making corporations like Exxon-Mobil increasingly wealthy and powerful?  With  Arizonans possibly facing another price increase of 10.6% for its electricity next year, many of us are looking for alternatives to polluting, non-renewable fossil fuels that are becoming increasingly expensive. 

There is an alternative, this November we can elect the "Solar Team" of Sandra Kennedy, Sam George, and Paul Newman for Arizona's Corporation Commission.  They understand the importance and opportunity of creating clean, renewable electricity and other green-collar jobs for Arizona.  They understand that instead of the dangerous jobs created by mining, transporting, and burning coal, we could be creating jobs harnessing the unlimited power of the Sun.  They understand how Arizona can become energy independent even with today's solar technology.  They will be getting my vote this November.

(Back to Daily Kos)