Going green means big money, not a better environment

[Hemlock140]

Originally Posted by InterestedOne

Just a collection of thoughts on the subject...

I agree with OpenD.

However, Mack Knife I tend to think general public frustration(s) lay is with the degree of subsidies. Few will argue against solar being a good idea for all to benefit.

Utility infrastructure, in the larger picture is failing - err has been failing. As a nation we are not properly poise to create new generating systems that are not attuned to, well, Green. Clean coal for instance has promise though only a few systems are able to economically afford all that which is required for those stations. Coal otherwise has its problems because higher btu, lower sulfur coal is becoming more expensive. Its another two steps forward, one step back situation.

I have been in the biz serving all level of institution and industry for 30+ years. New generating capacity is much needed because there are more people that need electricity. What has failed, though gaining ground, is engaging effective conservation strategies with what is already available -- all in an effort to prevent additional grid loading. When wise, truly effective conservation appointments exceed critical mass across the board only then will older inefficient generating systems capacities be phased out as solar, wind, geothermal production, etc to become become more promenant.

I mean no offense, however if we all were more responsible so as to minimize our respective footprints government would not need to act as to protect its utility possessions and the tiered taxes therefrom.

If you don't agree with Green or government intervention, I understand. However, Green, like it or not, is a new global industry. America especially has lost many manufacturing jobs and technologies to overseas economies. Frankly, America has now choice but to embrace a Green economy for such jobs are attuned to taking care of ourselves, here and now. Such jobs cannot be transplanted elsewhere.

Keep up the good works. I do enjoy your posts.

Like government subsidies, the government is intervening to keep more of the solar indutry here, something they have not done for other manufacturing.

US China Solar Panel Wars Heat Up As US Sets New Import Duties

[Mack Knife]

Originally Posted by Hemlock140

Like government subsidies, the government is intervening to keep more of the solar indutry here, something they have not done for other manufacturing.

US China Solar Panel Wars Heat Up As US Sets New Import Duties

The solar panel industry as well as most mechanical components like tracking systems and so on have moved overseas already. The tariffs going into effect are more of a tax credit recovery system than anything to recoup the manufacturing that went overseas or anything else.

China is making most of the panels, the US lost out on that before it even started.

The consumer got the shaft, you will now start paying a lot more for panels, the jobs making them aren't coming back and even if they did, all that would happen is that you'll pay a lot more for them.

Import tariffs or duties imposed aren't going to help US solar product manufacturing. It is a money grab because someone has to pay for those tax credits given out and guess who that is? Not the people who really didn't need them (the higher income brackets ) but those who couldn't buy them to begin with. Instead of providing larger credits to those who really needed to reduce their energy costs, we subsidized those who could buy the panels regardless. Who pays for those tax credits? The very people who can't buy the panels.

[thecoalman]

Originally Posted by OpenD

Meanwhile there was a lot of pressure to lower oil imports by increasing energy efficiency, and switching to more efficient lighting that used less energy was a certain way to do that.

No it wouldn't becsue nobody uses oil on any large scale for electric other than Hawaii.