States Moving Forward on Renewable Energy

While Dubya & Co. continue to drag their feet on any energy developments that don’t involve drilling in ANWR, the chorus of voices at the state level continues to get louder.

• The Denver Post has published an op-ed by Senator Ken Salazar and former Senator Timothy Wirth calling for a national energy independence policy “that emphasizes renewable energy and energy efficiency.” Salazar and Wirth examine the growth of our dependence on imported oil, and the economic benefits that energy independence would create at the state, national and international levels. Salazar will also be hosting a renewable energy summit this Wednesday at the King Center, Community College of Denver, Auraria Campus.

• The Delaware News Journal has published an op-ed by engineer Victor Udo claiming the state holds the potential to become a leader in renewable energy development.
  

  A transition to sustainable renewable energy may require two key elements. The first is development and large-scale manufacturing of components and economical assembly of complete fuel-cell systems. The second element is innovative use of wind and solar energy to produce and store hydrogen for automobile and stationary fuel-cell applications. Delaware could be a leader on these two fronts through national, state and local public policy.

  Udo claims that the combination of business interests, political clout, and its “highly ranked research university and a small but diverse coastal population” could make Delaware a world leader in renewable energy development.

• Lawmakers in South Dakota and Minnesota are joining forces “to push renewable sources of energy in Washington.” South Dakota Representative Stephanie Herseth and Minnesota Representative Gil Gutknecht sat down with constituents in Sioux Falls on Friday to discuss American energy policy, and the role Midwestern farmers can play in transitioning away from fossil fuels, and towards farm-produced energy sources.

• Finally, from the Virginian-Pilot, news of legislation in Virginia to create a renewable portfolio standard for the state. If passed, Virginia would join 22 other states and the District of Columbia in requiring certain percentages of electricity be generated from renewable sources.

More evidence that state-level politicians of both parties seem to “get it” on energy policy. I’d love to hear about developments in other states.

Categories: renewable, energy, politics, legislation, Colorado, Delaware, Minnesota, South Dakota, Virginia