WIND COULD SAVE THE POLAR BEAR BUT ALASKA’S GOV WON’T

The astonishing, unprecedented growth in the U.S. wind energy industry suggests anything is possible. Growth like this could turn back global climate change all by itself.

Such enthusiasm might seem a little excessive, but when an industry doubles its capacity in a 2-year period (from 10,000 megawatts to 20,000 megawatts) by installing the same amount of power it installed in its first 2 decades, the achievement lends itself to enthusiasm.

A DOE study released in May 2008 pronounced feasible the wind industry’s plan to produce 20% of U.S. electricity by 2030, a level of production that would likely add 500,000 jobs to the economy and eliminate as many greenhouse gas emissions as are generated by 140 million cars. (That's something like 2/3 of the entire U.S. vehicle fleet!)

And it's entirely possible for wind power to do the same in many other nations. Taking 20% of the world’s coal-fired power generation out of commission in 2 decades would go a long way toward turning climate change around and saving the polar bears.

Which brings up the subject of “the killa from Wasilla.” That’s the nickname given to Alaska’s Governor Sarah Palin by the state’s environmentalists.

To the chagrin of environmentalists, the U.S. Department of the Interior insisted on classifying Alaska’s polar bears as “threatened” instead of “endangered.” (See POLAR BEARS: ENDANGERED, THREATENED OR SHAFTED?) Governor Palin pressed Interior Secretary Kempthorne to remove even the “endangered” label. She didn’t want the polar bears to have ANY recognition distinguishing them from the Alaskan moose she reportedly likes so much as burgers and stew.

In less than 2 years as Alaska’s Governor, Palin also objected to federal marine scientists’ conclusion that the Cook Inlet beluga whale needs ‘endangered” classification and advocated hunting wolves.

John Toppenberg, director, Alaska Wildlife Alliance: "Her philosophy from our perspective is cut, kill, dig and drill…[She is] in the Stone Age of wildlife management and is very opposed to utilizing accepted science."

Senator McCain has recognized the validity of climate change science, stressed the urgency of the fight against global climate change and - unlike Governor Palin - has recognized the major cause of worsening climate change to be human greenhouse gas-generating activities.

In direct contradiction to Alaska’s best science and scientists, Governor Palin used questionable oil industry science to help refute claims there is a need to protect polar bears.

A Governor Palin press release: "[My detractor] doesn’t understand rural Alaska, doesn't comprehend wildlife management in the North, and doesn't appreciate the Tenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution that gives states the right to manage their own affairs…"

There may be a thing or two the Governor herself doesn't yet understand or appreciate.

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U.S. Wind Energy Installations Surpass 20,000 Megawatts; Delay in extending federal tax credit places 2009 pipeline on hold, discourages manufacturing investment
September 3, 2008 (American Wind Energy Association)
and
Environmentalists can’t corral Palin
Dina Cappiello, September 4, 2008 (AP)

WHO
The U.S. wind industry; the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) (Randall Swisher, Executive Director and Jim Walker, President); the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE); Sarah Palin, Governor, Alaska/Vice-Presidential Nominee, U.S.; Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne

WHAT
The U.S. wind industry reached the 20,000 megawatt installed capacity mark, adding in the last 2 years the same amount of capacity it built in its first 2 decades.
Governor Palin has been an unceasing opponent of protecting Alaska’s polar bears.

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WHEN
- 1982: The first U.S. wind installation went online.
- 1985; 1,000 megawatts of installed capacity.
- 1999: 2,000 megawatts of installed capacity.
- 2003: 5,000 megawatts of installed capacity.
- 2006: The U.S. wind energy industry reached the mark of 10,000 megawatts of installed capacity.
- 2008: The U.S. wind energy industry reached the mark of 20,000 megawatts of installed capacity. (September 2008: 20,152 megawatts)
- December 31, 2008: The production tax credit (PTC) expires.
- 2008: Total capacity added for the year is expected to be ~7,500 megawatts, bringing the U.S. total installed capacity by year’s end to ~24,300 megawatts.

WHERE
- The achieving of the 20,000-megawatt milestone was recognized in Minneapolis at the Republican national Convention.
- The U.S. and Germany are vying for the number 1 position in world wind power generation. Germany has more megawatt capacity (~23,000) but U.S. winds are stronger, making its 20,000 megawatts number 1.

WHY
- 20,152 megawatts of electricity could power 5.3 million homes or 1 million+ plug-in hybrid vehicles.
- 20,000 megawatts of wind capacity is equal to 28.7 million tons of coal or 90 million barrels of oil.

Or we could do it Governor Palin's way. (click to enlarge)

QUOTES
- Randall Swisher, Executive Director, AWEA: “Wind energy installations are well ahead of the curve for contributing 20% of the U.S. electric power supply by 2030 as envisioned by the U.S. Department of Energy…However, the looming expiration of the federal renewable energy production tax credit (PTC) less than four months from now threatens this spectacular progress. The PTC has been a critical factor in wind’s very rapid growth as a part of the nation’s power portfolio.”
- 20% Wind Energy by 2030, DOE: “As an inexhaustible domestic resource, wind strengthens our energy security, improves the quality of the air we breathe, slows climate change, and revitalizes rural communities.”
- From AP reporting on Governor Palin’s record: “…Her administration disputes conclusions by the federal National Marine Fisheries Service and its science advisers that the beluga whale population is in critical danger. The state argues that 2007 data shows the whale rebounding…Palin opposed a state ballot initiative to increase protection of salmon streams from mining operations. It was defeated…She also opposed a ballot initiative barring the shooting of wolves and bears from aircraft except in biological emergencies. It was also defeated.”