MORE NEWS, 3-27 (FROM THE MOUTHS OF BABES; WHICH WAY THE OBAMA ENERGY PLAN?; BIG CALL FOR RES)

FROM THE MOUTHS OF BABES
Solar and wind energy should be our future
March 25, 2009 (Mountain Home News)

[The following letter to the editor of the Mountain Home News in Elmore County, Idaho, is reproduced verbatim.]

Dear editor:

At Hacker Middle School, we learned about renewable and nonrenewable resources. I think we should rely on solar energy and wind energy rather than geothermal energy and biomass.

I think geothermal and biomass resources are not good resources because they pollute, take up space, they are not renewable resources, and can destroy wildlife. Solar energy doesn't pollute, doesn't destroy wildlife and it doesn't take up lots of space. Solar energy is renewable and it's almost always there, so is wind energy.

In conclusion, I think we should use solar and wind energy rather than fossil fuels, biomass and geothermal energy.

Igor Poulter



WHICH WAY THE OBAMA ENERGY PLAN?
Obama Tries to Draw Up an Inclusive Energy Plan
Jad Mouawad, March 17, 2009 (NY Times)

"After gasoline prices rose above $4 a gallon last summer, Republican cries of “drill, baby, drill” forced candidate Barack Obama into a rare retreat. Under pressure, he said he would support some expansion of offshore oil drilling, while still emphasizing conservation and renewable energy…Now [the President]…is caught between oil companies, who are reminding the president of his campaign pledge, and environmental groups…

"The renewed fight over offshore drilling comes amid efforts by the White House to map out an ambitious new energy policy for the country. For the first time since the Carter administration, an American president is putting energy at the center of his domestic agenda."

(From the NY Times. (click to enlarge)

"Mr. Obama must decide what strategies are most likely to achieve his goals of diversifying the nation’s fuel supplies, developing alternative energy sources, reducing oil consumption, and curbing carbon emissions that contribute to global warming…

"For the moment, the offshore debate has been eclipsed by the economic crisis and the sharp fall of oil prices…But the magnitude of the nation’s energy challenge is not growing smaller…Oil imports now make up more than 60 percent of the nation’s daily consumption of 19 million barrels…for more than 30 years, drilling off most of the American coastline has been forestalled by opposition from coastal states and environmental groups…Yet considerable untapped oil may lie offshore. Around the world, deepwater exploration has been the most dynamic source of petroleum growth in the last decade…"

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"Since Mr. Obama’s inauguration, petroleum executives have used every opportunity to press their case for more domestic production. With fewer places to drill around the world, the biggest oil companies, including Exxon Mobil, Chevron and Shell, argue that more domestic oil production is not incompatible with the administration’s goals of lowering imports and using energy more efficiently…On the other end of the spectrum, environmental groups are pressing Congress to reinstate a moratorium on offshore drilling…

"The battle over offshore drilling is being renewed as relations between the new administration and the oil industry, which enjoyed a cozy relationship with the Bush administration, have soured…The administration has made clear that it does not want to be rushed about offshore drilling. The Interior Department plans to hold a series of public meetings in April…"


BIG CALL FOR RES
AWEA Joins 220+ Signatories On Letter To Congress Supporting National Renewable Electricity Standard; Letter Underscores Broad Agreement Among Utilities, Environmental Groups, Manufacturers and Wind Developers on National Standard
March 24, 2009 (American Wind Energy Association)

"The American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) joined more than 220 other groups in signing a letter to Congress that endorses a national renewable electricity standard (RES) as a way to provide the long-term policy commitment that businesses need to invest tens of billions of dollars in clean energy, creating thousands of American jobs.

"A total of 226 companies and organizations have signed the letter, which urges Congress to adopt a national RES this year. Legislation introduced in both the House and Senate would require all states to generate at least 25% of their electricity from renewable sources by 2025."

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"[The letter:] “We are writing to urge rapid enactment of a national renewable electricity standard (RES) to help the nation take full advantage of the abundant domestic renewable resources available for the generation of electricity…”

"Among the organizations signing the letter are wind developers, environmental groups, utilities, labor groups, construction companies and manufacturers…

"A recent public opinion survey found that 84 percent of Americans support a national RES. Later this spring, House and Senate committees are scheduled to take up energy legislation that includes a national RES."