Energy Legislation at Last?

RenewableMinute — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 13:22:40 -0400

Despite many efforts to pass an energy package, Congress adjourned for summer recess gridlocked and empty-handed. Partisan compromise is essential if we will ever see any real energy legislation. Republicans must give up oil industry tax breaks and Democrats need to budge on the offshore drilling ban. A bi-partisan group of Senators has offered at last a compromise bill, which does just that. The bill awaits the Senate when they reconvene next week.

A bipartisan group of 10 senators are cosponsoring New Energy Reform Act of 2008 in hopes of breaking the Senate deadlock on energy legislation. The legislation, which could be considered when Congress returns in September, includes limited offshore drilling with increased investment in new energy technologies. A portion of the finding for renewables would come from taking back tax breaks from the oil industry. The bill also sets a goal of fueling 85 percent of the country's automobiles with alternatives to oil within 20 years.

The upside:

co-sponsored by a bi-partisan group committed to breaking the energy legislation gridlock in Congress
closes tax loopholes for the oil industry
maintains the ban on offshore drilling in California
extends renewable energy tax incentives that will expire in December
invests $20 billion for the conversion of cars and trucks to non-oil fuel sources
garnering wide support from liberal democrats, moderates, and Republicans

The downside:

permits offshore drilling in parts of the Gulf of Mexico and the east coast (by states' consent)
recycling of spent nuclear fuel

Given the many bones of contention between the two parties, it is imperative to accept that a compromise coming from both sides of the aisle is the only solution to the impasse. Republicans need to give in on oil industry tax loopholes so that the renewable energy tax credits can be paid for. Democrats need to budge on their intractable stance on offshore drilling.

This bill will be before the Senate when they return from recess on September 4.

Learn more about the bill here.

Better yet, send a letter to Senators Obama and McCain to let them know Congress needs to get serious about renewable energy legislation.

Top 10 States That Offer the Biggest Solar Incentives

jchait — Mon, 05 May 2008 00:09:58 -0400

If your goal is green building or even off-grid living, you're better off living in certain states. Some offer much better grant and financial opportunities for building green, than do others.

The Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency (DSIRE) is a North Carolina Solar Center and the Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC) project funded by the U.S. Department of Energy. Recently Off-Grid reported that the information offered by DSIRE shows that the 10 top states to live in - if you want solar incentives include:

California
Colorado
Connecticut
Maryland
Massachusetts
Minnesota
New Jersey
New Mexico
Oregon
Pennsylvania.

Oregon and New Mexico don't surprise me. Having lived in both, it's obvious that green building is a big deal in both places. Oddly recycling is limited in NM. (They need to focus on all green living issues, not just building). But, I digress. In any case, the DSIRE list is an amazing resource if you're considering going green. Listings include:

So, for example, if you click on Oregon, an entire list of helpful links appears such as Business Energy Tax Credit, Residential Energy Tax Credit, Ashland - Green Building Incentive, Small-Scale Energy Loan Program, and so much more it boggles the mind. This site is a green treasure. There are resources related to green building loans, auto incentives, utility loans and more. You'll love this site. Check it out.

Learn more about off-grid living:

25 Tools, Ideas, & Activities for Off-Grid-Living

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