RENEWABLOG

U.S.: The Renewable Energy Melting Pot?

Germany is #1 in solar. The U.K. intends to be #1 in wind. Brazil has long been #1 in ethanol. The U.S.? Does being first in failed attempts to adopt a national renewable energy strategy count?

The recent passing of the energy bill by Congress and subsequent signing by the White House put an exclamation point on what has been a stalled effort to get aggressive renewable energy initiatives adopted at a national level. Stalling by utilities and some energy giants also hasn't helped.

In the meantime, different geographic regions and emerging-growth companies have really led the charge in terms of developing their own programs and investing in various approaches.

Texas will be first in wind. The southwest and California likely in solar. And like California, some coastal states will likely bet on the power of the tides. New England may be a hybrid, with wind and tidal power on the coasts and some solar power inland.

While I don't excuse the federal government for failing to advance renewable energy research, adoption and strategies, it may not be a bad thing that states have taken the lead. After all, we are talking about the country with the fourth largest land area in the world. A country so vast that it doesn't make sense to say "we are going to be first in X, because it is the best option for the entire country."

Truth is, the only thing that the U.S. should eventually become first in is consumption of renewable energy. It should serve as a melting pot of renewable energy, as it has served as a melting pot of cultures for hundreds of years.

So let's hope that with a federal push, America brings new meaning to the phrase "melting pot."
Tags: Chevron, congress, PG&E, renewable energy, solar, tidal power, wind power

Posted by Jason Morris on January 28, 2008 at 8:15 PM
Comments (2) | TrackBack (0)