Help me, President Obama...

It’s been an interesting two weeks.  I’ve had quite a few moments of sheer dumbfoundedness, many relating to topics that inform my research for and work on Team Climate. 

In a testimony for a bill to expand net metering (Senate bill 247) at the Montana legislature, Northwestern Energy made clear that they are not fans of net metering.  In fact, it seems that NWE believes that net metering is a “subsidy for the upper middle class and the wealthy of society, paid for by other ratepayers.”  The NWE spokesperson called it a “nuisance” and an “experiment in social engineering”.  As Montana’s largest electric utility,

That’s not the only “…what the…?” instance I came across this week.  Again from my home state (I’m so proud…), House Bill Number 549: “…global warming is beneficial to the welfare and business climate of Montana.”  That’s on par with North Carolina legislating against sea level rise.  As if we can pass a law to turn facts into opinion.  I particularly enjoyed the tongue-in-cheek with both of these articles—they are worth the read.  “Cigarettes killing too many people? Write a law saying they don't! Think gravity is an unnecessary burden on our airline industry? Let's vote it away! Evolution doesn't fit your religious beliefs? Outlaw it!”

A recent Environmental Leader article outlines the bottom line costs of countless delays or roadblocks for renewable energy projects in “The Real Cost of NIMBYism”.  The author cites a statistic from an initiative called Project No Project (conspicuously an initiative of the US Chamber of Commerce—will have to look deeper into that), which “assesses the broad range of energy projects that are being stalled, stopped, or outright killed nationwide due to “Not In My Back Yard” (NIMBY) activism, a broken permitting process and a system that allows limitless challenges by opponents of development”: Project No Project estimates that in the short term the 351 projects analyzed could produce $1.1 trillion for the economy and create 1.9 million jobs a year. Also once these projects are created and established, they are estimated to produce $145 billion and create 791,000 jobs.  That’s a lot of money.  And a lot of jobs. 

All seriousness aside (or all jokes?  It’s hard to tell these days with such radical topics), I did come across a few exciting initiatives that I hope will gain traction.  The first article that gives me hope is a new partnership between Honda/Acura and Solar City, where Honda/Acura customers can purchase a solar system at little or no upfront cost in exchange for a long-term contract in which the customer pays a fixed fee for the electricity generated, set at less than the customer would pay for power from the local utility.  Honda will provide $65M in financing for installation of new systems.  The customer gets cheaper power and doesn’t have to front the money—what’s not to like? 

The second one caught me by the title alone: “Won’t you be my solar-power-buying neighbor?”.  It questions why Germany, which has 15% less annual sun than Puget Sound, is kicking our ass in the solar arena.  They have great incentives, and solar is accessible to everyone—it has become the norm.  Solarize Washington is following Germany’s lead and piloting an effort to build critical mass to make solar more accessible in the PNW.  The project has incentives aplenty: 30% federal tax credit; state sales tax exemption if a solar system is purchased by June 30^th; annual production incentive capped at five thousand a year through June 2020; and fifteen cents per kilowatt hour for solar systems made out of state and fifty-four cents per kilowatt hour for those made in-state.

Another reason the solar in Germany is so successful is that it is also primarily distributed, community owned power, not corporation or utility owned; individuals or communities own 51% of solar in Germany, and over 100 rural communities are now powered by 100% renewable energy.  It’s a David and Goliath story, where Germany is David and the U.S. is Goliath: “The US is slowly switching to renewables, but it is nearly completely shutting out the little guy, with only two percent of installed wind power capacity not owned by giant corporations. And when it comes to solar in the US, almost everything is utility-scale plants. The changes in Germany are driven by the little guy, whereas the renewable industry in the US is controlled by some of the world’s biggest multinational companies.”

I don’t know about you, but I’ve been to Germany.  It’s gray.  And rainy.  If solar can triumph there, then why can’t we make it work here?  The little guys and gals in this country need to band together and drive the change that we need. 

Perhaps the most uplifting read was from OnEarth on President Obama’s message to Congress: “If Congress won’t act soon to protect future generations, I will. I will direct my Cabinet to come up with executive actions we can take, now and in the future, to reduce pollution, prepare our communities for the consequences of climate change, and speed the transition to more sustainable sources of energy.”  The article outlines the various options for action either with Congress on board, or actions he can take that don’t need congressional approval.  Let’s hope that Obama’s David can triumph over the congressional Goliath.  Help me, President Obama.  You’re my only hope.