Green Energy Law April 2010 Survey

The national conference on solar energy held in Phoenix last week was one of the largest ever and showcased the growing interest and urgency in developing renewable energy. GreenEnergyLaw.org was there and will have highlights in next week's newsletter.

Take a moment to answer at least the first question. Your answers to the additional questions would be greatly appreciated.

The big issue is cost: technology prices are plummeting to the point that solar and wind are dropping in cost below what is called "grid parity" where the cost of the renewable energy is equal to the cost of electricity from the traditional utility. But how low does it need to go before we start choosing renewables over traditional sources?

Everyone has an opinion because we all use and pay for electricity. Your answer to this single question will add real value to the conversation about where we move as a country with renewable technologies.

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1. Adopting renewable technologies has some inconveniences. Whether it is adding solar hot water to your home, PV panels to your office, or siting community wind power, the burden of installing and then using renewable energy has a cost. How much must the renewable technology save you before you make the choice to switch from a traditional power source to a renewable power source?

Adopting renewable technologies has some inconveniences. Whether it is adding solar hot water to your home, PV panels to your office, or siting community wind power, the burden of installing and then using renewable energy has a cost. How much must the renewable technology save you before you make the choice to switch from a traditional power source to a renewable power source? As soon as we reach grid parity, or in other words, when it costs the same as what I am paying now.

As soon as I can save a little, or in other words, about 10% or more than what I am paying now.

As long as the savings are noticeable, or in other words, when I see savings of about 20%.

As soon as the savings are significant and I can see saving about half of what I am paying now.

The savings have to be significant because I have doubts that any renewable energy can achieve a dramatic savings.

2. The so-called “section 1603” in last year’s stimulus law gives a cash grant instead of a tax credit to many renewable energy projects, such as solar, wind, geothermal and biomass, which begin construction by the end of this year. What will happen if the cash grant ends as planned by the end of this year and is not extended?

The so-called “section 1603” in last year’s stimulus law gives a cash grant instead of a tax credit to many renewable energy projects, such as solar, wind, geothermal and biomass, which begin construction by the end of this year. What will happen if the cash grant ends as planned by the end of this year and is not extended? Without a cash grant, renewable energy projects will stop dead.

As long as the tax credit continues, that should be adequate.

Renewable energy should not get incentives and should be treated exactly the same as oil, coal and gas developments.

3. Four US senators, led by Senator Charles Schumer of New York have called on the Obama administration to halt spending on renewable energy projects until there are rules to assure that the projects use predominantly American labor and materials. Should US government incentives be used to fund projects that use foreign manufactured goods and technology?

Four US senators, led by Senator Charles Schumer of New York have called on the Obama administration to halt spending on renewable energy projects until there are rules to assure that the projects use predominantly American labor and materials. Should US government incentives be used to fund projects that use foreign manufactured goods and technology? Whether the parts are made in the USA or not really doesn't matter.

If there is a source of parts from the USA, then we should buy those over material from overseas.

Not one dime should be spent on parts made overseas.

4. Despite receiving regulatory approvals from the state, the FAA and other officials, Cape Cod Community College in Massachusetts was denied the final permit to build a single wind turbine on its campus by a decision made by the Old King's Highway Regional Historic District Commission for aesthetic reasons. To what extent, if any, should new renewable technologies be denied for purely aesthetic reasons?

Despite receiving regulatory approvals from the state, the FAA and other officials, Cape Cod Community College in Massachusetts was denied the final permit to build a single wind turbine on its campus by a decision made by the Old King's Highway Regional Historic District Commission for aesthetic reasons. To what extent, if any, should new renewable technologies be denied for purely aesthetic reasons? There's no reason to permit new technology from being developed where it may be seen and be an eyesore.

If it's on private property, it should be allowed unless it interferes with neighbors.

Aesthetics should not be used as a reason to deny new technology projects.

5. China is launching a national program of billions of dollars of investment in wind and solar power, putting it significantly ahead of the United States in renewable energy deployment. The EU is on track to surpass its goal of generating 20% of energy from renewable sources by 2020. Is it significant that China and Europe may dominate both the manufacturing and deployment of renewable energy technologies, ahead of the United States?

China is launching a national program of billions of dollars of investment in wind and solar power, putting it significantly ahead of the United States in renewable energy deployment. The EU is on track to surpass its goal of generating 20% of energy from renewable sources by 2020. Is it significant that China and Europe may dominate both the manufacturing and deployment of renewable energy technologies, ahead of the United States? It's terrible; the US should always lead in new technology!

If we can afford new technology, then we must make an effort to take a leadership role.

It doesn't matter; let the rest of the world develop new technologies, the US will always catch up just like we did in the space race of the 1960's.