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The production tax credit (PTC) for wind energy is currently set to expire December 31st, 2012. The credit is currently 2.2¢ per kWh created by wind. The average price of electricity nationwide is 11¢ per kWh. A study released recently by the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) states that without an immediate PTC program extension, wind energy “jobs will drop by nearly half, from 78,000 in 2012 to 41,000 in 2013.” According to the report, an extension of the program through 2016 could create nearly 17,000 wind industry jobs. Denise Bode, AWEA’s CEO, has stated that “these jobs could vanish if Congress allows… [more]
View InsightTranscript: “Economics of America’s Oil Dependence” Opening Remarks: WILLIAM SQUADRON, President, OurEnergyPolicy.org REPRESENTATIVE PETER WELCH (D VT), Co Chair, Congressional Peak Oil Caucus REPRESENTATIVE ROSCOE BARTLETT (R MD), Co Chair Congressional Peak Oil Caucus Panel Speakers: THE HONORABLE J. BENNETT JOHNSTON, Retired U.S. Senator from Louisiana; Chairman, Johnston & Associates ROGER BEZDEK, President, Management Information Services, Inc.; Co Author, The Impending World Energy Mess EYAL ARONOFF, Co Founder, Quest Software; Member, Set America Free Coalition Moderator: YOSSIE HOLLANDER, Founder and Chairman, OurEnergyPolicy.org
View InsightNote: Drawn from report synopses by OurEnergyPolicy.org. Highlights of Major 2010 Energy Innovation Reports A Business Plan for America’s Energy Future by the American Energy Innovation Council Released June 2010 Post-Partisan Power by Steven F. Hayward, Mark Muro, Ted Nordhaus, and Michael Shellenberger Released October 2010 Creating a Clean Energy Century by Third Way Released November 2010 Government must play a key role in accelerating energy innovation for two reasons. First, innovations in energy technology can generate significant public benefits that are not reflected in the market price of energy, including cleaner air and improved public health, enhanced national security… [more]
View InsightNote: Synopsis based on OurEnergyPolicy.org review. Synopsis intended solely for purposes of generating discussion. How a Limited and Direct Approach to Energy Innovation Can Deliver Clean, Cheap Energy, Economic Productivity and National Prosperity By Steven F. Hayward, American Enterprise Institute Mark Muro, Brookings Institution Ted Nordhaus and Michael Shellenberger, Breakthrough Institute Fossil fuels have undeniably been critical to American prosperity and development, but we can gradually move toward cleaner, healthier, and safer energy sources. Our goal today should be to make new clean energy sources much cheaper so they can steadily displace fossil fuels. If we structure this transition correctly,… [more]
View Insight[Note: The statements below are intended solely to stimulate discussion among the Expert community, and do not represent the position of OurEnergyPolicy.org. Text in italics indicates clarification or expansion.] Wind energy is a good renewable solution for parts of the nation. The challenge with wind is accommodating its variability and uncertainty. It means that using the current technology, wind must work in conjunction with natural gas powered plants that could be started quickly to fill production gaps. It increases the capital costs of the electrical utilities. We have good wind conditions only in parts of the country (like the… [more]
View Insight[Note: The statements below are intended solely to stimulate discussion among the Expert community, and do not represent the position of OurEnergyPolicy.org. Text in italics indicates clarification or expansion.] Solar energy is currently a good renewable solution for peak usage period (which are usually the hottest hours of the day). The policy should focus on: Extend the federal incentives for the next 10-15 years. The current short term regulation creates instability for the investors and slows down the development of solar solutions. Incentives should be technology neutral. Investors need stability and predictability. The current renew/don’t renew political episodes every… [more]
View Insight[Note: The statements below are intended solely to stimulate discussion among the Expert community, and do not represent the position of OurEnergyPolicy.org. Text in italics indicates clarification or expansion.] The main issue here is hedging our bets and securing our oil supply in case of a global war on resources. Why do we need to hedge? We cannot “drill” our way out of the oil problem. Relying on drilling as a solution is like placing a coin bet on the life of our children. It is too risky. We cannot be sure that our policy to move away from oil… [more]
View Insight[Note: The statements below are intended solely to stimulate discussion among the Expert community, and do not represent the position of OurEnergyPolicy.org. Text in italics indicates clarification or expansion.] An analysis of the current status shows that hydrogen powered cars, generation infrastructure and delivery infrastructure; all at competitive prices to other solutions are 20 years away under the best of circumstances. In any case, an affordable and efficient electric battery car will be available at least 10 years ahead of that and it will not require infrastructure changes. The hydrogen (fuel cell) car simply lost the race to the market.… [more]
View Insight[Note: The statements below are intended solely to stimulate discussion among the Expert community, and do not represent the position of OurEnergyPolicy.org. Text in italics indicates clarification or expansion.] Diesel accounts for 30% of U.S. transportation fuel. In many uses (like trucking), there is no replacement technology in sight. The use of diesel in Europe is double that of the U.S. Bio-diesel is an excellent replacement for oil-derived diesel since it requires only minor infrastructure change or engine change (unlike methanol and ethanol). However, our sources for bio-diesel are limited today. We need to create a larger bio-diesel market… [more]
View Insight[Note: The statements below are intended solely to stimulate discussion among the Expert community, and do not represent the position of OurEnergyPolicy.org. Text in italics indicates clarification or expansion.] Critical policy recommendations mentioned above (Flex fuel GEM mandate, Alternative fuel infrastructure tax credit, and Government vehicle purchase mandate). We must solve the “chicken and egg” problem of the alcohol fuel market by forcing initial demand. Increase the blending mandate of ethanol in the gas that we currently buy to 15%. Mandate fuel blenders to buy any ethanol offered to them until they meet the 15% minimum. Cars can… [more]
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