Comment & Debate
Daniel Goldfarb. “Renewable Energy Standard: Symbolism or Substance?” Huffington Post. September 28th, 2010: “In terms of the real effects of this policy, the passage of this bill would send a stable signal to companies that there will be a market for renewable energy in America ten years down the road, although it will do nothing to guarantee that it will be a robust market. With the impending changes in Congress’s make up as well as the expirations of the Clean Energy Treasury Grant Program, the Production Tax Credit (PTC), the Investment Tax Credit (ITC) and ARRA’s funding for energy innovation and deployment, America’s clean-energy sector may be heading towards a cliff. Although the RES will do little to push America’s market for clean-energy past business-as-usual, it will ensure that the market doesn’t begin moving backwards. For this reason it is important that this particular bill, in the words of Wentworth, provides a “floor, not a ceiling” for America’s clean-energy economy.”
“Nation needs a standard for renewable energy.” The Denver Post Editorial. September 29th, 2010: “We have long supported a renewable energy standard in Colorado, and have seen how it has prompted growth in an industry that is important to the nation’s energy future. Colorado, which already has a 30 percent renewable energy mandate by 2020, wouldn’t be directly affected by the bill. However, the measure has the potential to boost the state’s blossoming renewable industries, and the promising renewable energy research going on at the state’s premier universities and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. Already, about 6,500 clean energy jobs have been created in Colorado since Gov. Bill Ritter began his “new energy economy” push in 2007. While more than 30 states have a renewable standard of some sort, some of them are lower than 15 percent, are voluntary and have later phase-in deadlines. A national standard would provide certainty for renewable energy researchers and businesses and prompt private investment in the area. While we don’t support long-term subsidies to prop up renewable energy development, we think a national standard would provide an important kick-start as the nation moves to diversify its energy consumption portfolio.”