The Energy Endgame: Renewables vs Fossil Fuels

The combination of market forces and changing public sensibilities are driving a major shift in the energy landscape. The need for renewable energy to combat climate change is incontrovertible, while a plethora of warnings tell us that we are rapidly exhausting our carbon budgets. Ending fossil fuels is a mathematical imperative if we are to have a chance of keeping temperatures from rising above the upper threshold limit of 1.5 - 2.0 C.

In 2016 we were already seeing how diminishing profits were contributing to the fall of fossil fuel and the rise of renewables  In 2020 the momentum away from fossil fuels is undeniable. They are being shunned by investors, insurance companies and banks. Fossil fuels are approaching the end of their life cycle while renewables are becoming increasingly attractive due to the declining cost of solar and storage.

Event - OWP Japan Offshore Wind Power

OWP Japan (Offshore Wind Power) will take place on May 16-17, 2019 in Tokyo, JAPAN. The Key highlights of the agenda include the following:

Offshore wind opportunities in Japan and a regulator’s perspectives. How to construct a successful offshore wind partnership in Japan. Pilot case studies experiences including lessons from Taiwan and Europe. Financing and funding options as well as strategies for offshore wind projects. Offshore wind project risk, mitigation and insurance. Creating the supply chain – needs and opportunities. Offshore wind technologies for the Japanese environment.

Climate Focus at the April 14th Democratic Debate

Climate related issues were a major part of the Democratic Presidential debate between Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders in Brooklyn, New York, on April 14, 2016. While the two candidates agree that climate change is an urgent issue, there are important distinctions between their respective policy positions.  Regardless of who wins the nomination, this debate establishes the Democratic party as the only choice for environmentally conscious voters.

Environmental Differences Between Hillary and Bernie in the Flint Presidential Debate

Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders faced off in a presidential primary debate at the University of Michigan in Flint, on March 6, 2016. During this substantive debate some salient differences emerged between the two remaining Democratic presidential contenders.

These differences included Sander's relatively stronger emphasis on combating climate change, and opposition to both fracking and campaign finance from the fossil fuel industry.

Hilary Maintains her Climate Silence as O'Malley Pushes his Green Agenda (Iowa Democratic Presidential Town Hall)

Hilary Clinton, Bernie Sanders and Martin O'Malley are the three remaining candidates seeking the Democratic nomination for president. On January 25th they fielded a barrage of questions from voters in a town hall meeting at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, The moderator was CNN anchor Chris Cuomo.

O'Malley emerged from the Iowa Town Hall as the greenest of the three candidates with Sanders trailing some distance behind. O'Malley bluntly stated that "this planet is worth saving," and Sanders reaffirmed his commitment to tackle climate change. Hilary remained silent on climate and clean energy and let her rivals steal the green thunder.

Climate and Energy Excerpts from the Fourth Democratic Primary Debate

Three candidates met for the fourth Democratic debate hosted by NBC News and YouTube and moderated by anchor Lester Holt. The debate took place in Charleston, South Carolina, on Sunday January 17th. Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and former Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley were present for the debate. However, except for a passing reference to renewables ("I would work quickly to present to the congress my plans for creating more...clean and renewable energy...") Clinton did not address climate change or energy issues. Hilary's silence on these importance issues in the fourth debate mirrors her strategy in the preceding debate.

Here are the climate and energy remarks made by Sanders and O'Malley during the fourth debate:

Republican Climate Avoidance and the Sixth GOP Debate

Republican candidates for president seem to think that if you ignore the climate crisis American voters won't notice. During the sixth Republican debate there was no mention of climate change or global warming, the COP21 deal, renewable energy, cleantech, or the low carbon economy, and of course nary a word was uttered on emissions or greenhouse gases.

Climate change was a no show in the first Republican debate, the CNBC presidential debate and in the November debate they made their opposition to climate action clear. Republican presidential candidates have stated that they do not believe we should not do anything to combat climate change.

Climate and Clean Energy in the Third Democratic Presidential Debate

Watching the third Democratic debate, the conspicuous absence of any questions on climate change could have led viewers to think they had tuned into a Republican debate. Although not a single question was asked about climate change, which is startling given the fact that the debate comes only a week after the COP21 agreement was announced, Sanders and O'Malley did manage to briefly mention climate change and clean energy. Clinton conspicuously ignored the topic altogether. She may think this is a good way to win over Republicans who are disillusioned with front running GOP candidate Donald Trump. However it is also a great way to alienate her base.

Climate Excerpts from the CBS Democratic Primary Debate

The CBS Democratic Democratic primary debate took place in Des Moines, Iowa on Saturday November 14th. Here are the climate related excerpts from that debate. The moderator for the debate was CBS News political director John Dickerson. Hilary Clinton summarized the field of Democratic candidates for President when she said, "All of us believe climate change is real."

Event - Solar Power International

This event will be held October 20-23, 2014 at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. Solar Power International, the solar industry’s most powerful, comprehensive educational conference and product exhibition.

Infographic - US Solar Power Statistics and Rankings

Click here to see the PDF.

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The Rapid Growth of On-Site Solar Energy in the US
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Global Solar Industry Outlook for 2014
The Solar Industry at a Glance: Past Present and Future
Ambitious Growth Predicted for Solar in 2013 and 2014
US Solar is Breaking Records and Shining Bright in 2013

Top Twelve Solar Friendly US States
The Growth of Global Solar Energy
Chinese Solar to Lead the World
America Surpasses a Solar PV Milestone and Keeps Going
Infographic - The Growth of Solar Energy (2014)
Infographic: Global Solar Energy 2007 - 2014

Report - Shining Cities: At the Forefront of America's Solar Energy Revolution

 

Environment New York held a news conference on April 13, in Albany to release, "Shining Cities: At the Forefront of America's Solar Energy Revolution," a first-of-its kind comparison of installed solar in major cities across the US. According to the report New York is the 8th largest solar state in the country. The report reviews the impressive growth of solar in New York City and Buffalo.

The report also highlights the importance of strong local policies and programs in the development of a robust solar industry in these major cities, and calls out specific cities from the list of those studied for their implementation of best practices.

US Government Support for Renewable Energy Projects

The US federal government has shown that it can collaborate effectively to support the growth of renewable energy across the country. The Department of the Interior has worked with industry, state, tribal, and local partners to approve 34 renewable energy projects on public lands in western states and to build an offshore regulatory framework in the Atlantic.

The renewable energy projects include 18 utility-scale solar facilities, 9 geothermal plants and 7 commercial wind farms. In addition to providing 13,000 jobs, these projects will provide 10,400 megawatts of energy, or enough to power 3.4 million homes, all without the emissions associated with fossil fuels.

Event - Deeper Water Offshore Wind

Profitably Delivering Larger Wind Power Stations In Deeper Water, Further Offshore.This is Europe’s senior offshore wind conference and networking event, it will take place on March 6th 2013 at the Grand Connaught Rooms, in Central London, UK. This one day conference is part of the Global Insight Conferences series.

Event - Offshore Wind Financial Risk Management Forum

This event will take place on March 14th 2013 in London, UK. Offshore Wind Financial Risk Management Forum is part of Wind Power events. What is the best way to manage financial risk in my offshore wind farm? This and other questions will be answered at this event.

Offshore wind is frequently in the headlines due to the high risks associated with the wind farms. As the industry grows, so does experience. Mistakes have been made and now we are learning why. How can we prevent the same high cost, preventable mistakes happening again?

Fiscal Cliff Deal Extends PTC and ITC for Wind Energy

On the cusp of the fiscal cliff the House voted to approve a sweeping tax deal that also extends the Production Tax Credit (PTC) and Investment Tax Credit (ITC) for wind energy for one year. The wind industry has grown tremendously under the PTC and ITC and it can be expected that the year long extension will continue this growth into 2013. This is good news for America’s 75,000 workers in wind energy in 50 states. While the deal passed overwhelmingly in the Senate the House vote was much closer (257-167). Predictably many Republicans did not support the initiative and almost pushed the credits over the cliff.

The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) reported that wind set a new record in 2012 by installing 44 percent of all new electrical generating capacity in America, leading the electric sector compared with 30 percent for natural gas.

Coalition Resists EPA's Waiving of the RFS

A group has come together to resist the possibility that the severe drought conditions in the US mid-west this summer, will prompt the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to waive the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS). To engage the American public and rally support, the coalition of renewable energy stakeholders has launched a new website called Fuels America, and a new twitter feed, @fuelsamerica.

“Fuels America is built around one core idea: renewable fuel is essential to the U.S. economy, our nation’s energy security, our rural communities and the environment,” noted former Congressman Jim Greenwood, President and CEO, Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) in the release.

Renewable Energy - Going Forward with Working Solutions (Event)

On Tuesday October 16, 2012, in Toronto, Ontario, there will be an event titled "Going Forward with Working Renewable Energy Solutions." The event will take place at the North York Civic Centre Council Chambers. Three experts present on real renewable energy solutions, their impact, plus new and future developments.

This is another Climate Change Toronto Feature Event. This event is sponsored by the Innovative Initiatives Co-op.

Low Carbon Earth Summit 2012 and the World Sustainable Energy Conference (Event)

The Low Carbon Earth Summit 2012 (LCES-2012) will take place on October 19 to 22, 2012 in Guangzhou, China. LCES-2012 Conference participants include energy experts, decision makers, academics, concerned environmentalists, legislators and government executives. This is the second Low Carbon Energy Summit - a very necessary and timely event after the Sustainable Development Summit in Rio de Janeiro, where good intentions were formulated but without much concrete solutions.

This event is timely as 2012 is the United Nations year for sustainable energy. This event also follows the World Sustainable Energy Conference in Geneva, that started this historic year.

Tell Congress to Expedite Renewable Energy

Sign this petition to tell Congress that we need to expedite the growth of renewable energy in the US. We need to see Congress act to pass legislation that will help us transition to a cleaner, renewable energy future. Signing this petition sends an email to US Sen. Jeff Bingaman (D-NM), chair of the Senate Committee on Energy & Natural Resources, US Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA) and the House Energy & Commerce Committee.

This petition unites the voices of Americans who demand our leaders take seriously the energy and climate crisis and immediately work to implement the policies to move our country toward a sustainable future.