Some Republicans support clean energy....

Today's post: Wednesday, 6-2-2010

We need an 80% reduction in fossil fuel use by 2050 to avoid the worst global warming effects. And, practically speaking, we need to also double our electricity generation and double the useful work done per unit of electricity & other energy sources as well during that same time to have a decent economy.

At some point, the oil that we’ve been using to power much of our economy will begin to run low enough that our world economy will shrink due to lack of supply or excessive costs or both.

And, once the demand for oil picks up again with the apparent economic recovery or supply begins to plateau or drop, the prices will again go back up. That will cause more hard times economically unless we have enough alternative sources of energy to turn to.

Further, it’s extremely clear that the most supported and economically beneficial solution to add energy that does not use oil nor burn fossil fuels to release more
CO2 into air that already has too much is to build massive amounts of new renewable energy production, particularly those that generate electricity & to dramatically increase energy efficiency and reduce the amount of energy that is now wasted.

And, of those, the more important long range solution is to build massive amounts of new renewable energy generation.

Today’s post:

For many reasons depending on the people involved from responding emotionally to name calling whether or not it’s based on facts to legitimate concerns about specific policies, the political pendulum is swinging now in favor of the Republicans. The recession is still more in effect than most people like. And, though it’s often misplaced, the people in power are often blamed for such things and associated with them.

So more Republicans are on their way to being elected. Many of them believe that global warming is a myth, that environmental regulations only increase costs for businesses and should be scaled back, and that only green economy initiatives that increase jobs are OK.

These things could have rather unfortunate consequences for the clean energy programs we not only need but are already 40 years behind when we should have begun them.

In addition to the dangerous things that global warming will cause and is beginning to cause and will get worse if we fail to act, we are at the point where oil will begin to be less available and cost far more. Yet, an astonishingly large and massive part of our economy relies now only on oil.

When these price rises begin between 4 and 10 years from now, our economy will begin to shrink or even break down in places. We can only cope with this if we already have some viable alternatives in place on a large scale and are very rapidly building more.

Given the chance that the new Republican legislators might derail this from happening, their arrival on the scene is scary news indeed.

But, aren’t there any Republicans who know these facts? Mercifully there are I found out today.

They may be motivated more by wanting to breathe clean air and to protect our national security than the two concerns I express here of preventing excessive global warming or worse and preventing economic collapse from massive run ups in oil prices but they do exist.

I found this today on the Clean Energy Network website.:

“This press release came out yesterday, 6-1-2010

"Bipartisan TV Ads Promote American Power Act

June 1, 2010

Republicans for Environmental Protection and Truman National Security Project today launched a $3 million advertising campaign in 16 states calling on Congress to "stop bickering" and pass bipartisan American clean energy legislation. The first ad, called "Boot," is sponsored jointly by the conservative- and progressive-leaning organizations, and is notable for its aggressive support for an "all-of-the-above" solution to America's energy, environmental, and security challenges.

The ad is available online here:

The American Power Act, authored by Democrat John Kerry and independent Joe Lieberman, with help from Republican Lindsey Graham, embraces ideas from across the political spectrum. The proposal includes a strict limit on carbon pollution, more use of nuclear power and domestic production, and a boost to renewable energy, among other provisions.

"Boot" is the first of a series of advertisements expected to run in targeted states and nationwide. The multimillion-dollar campaign also includes online ads, direct mail, and field activities. The buy includes broadcast TV in Washington, New Mexico, North Dakota, Michigan, Maine, Ohio, New York, Illinois, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Rhode Island, Oregon, Virginia, Massachusetts, Florida, and New Hampshire.

In launching the joint campaign, David Jenkins, vice president for government and political affairs for Republicans for Environmental Protection, said: "The energy-related challenges and opportunities facing our nation require balanced solutions, not political gamesmanship. Republican lawmakers need to show that they recognize that and rise to the occasion to support this much-needed legislation."

"America's continued reliance on energy from hostile nations is a threat to national security," said Jonathan Powers, chief operating officer of the Truman National Security Project. "Oil money is ending up in the hands of America's most dangerous enemies, funding terrorism around the world. This is not a Republican issue or a Democratic issue – this is an issue for all Americans. It's time for reasoned compromise and fast action – not partisanship and bickering."

Republicans for Environmental Protection is a national grassroots organization dedicated to resurrecting the Republican Party's great conservation tradition and promoting the original conservative philosophy that requires responsible stewardship of our natural resources.

The Truman National Security Project is a national security leadership institute, the nation's only organization that recruits, trains, and positions a new generation of progressives across America to lead on national security.

The campaign is part of an ongoing partnership between Republicans for Environmental Protection, Environmental Defense Action Fund, and the Truman National Security Project to promote strong clean and air and climate legislation."