Renewables, energy efficiency create more jobs than nuclear does
Energy efficiency programs also would produce more jobs.
Renewable Energy Would Create More Jobs Than Nuclear Power, Greentech Media, Elliott Negin, 29 July 2010, The Union of Concerned Scientists weighs in on the nuclear vs. renewables debate. “……If the federal government established a standard requiring utilities to obtain 25 percent of their electricity from renewable sources by 2025, it would create 297,000 new jobs, according to a 2009 analysis by my organization, the Union of Concerned Scientists.
Echoing our analysis, a February 2010 study by Navigant Consulting found that a 25 percent by 2025 standard would create 274,000 jobs.
Energy efficiency programs also would produce more jobs. A 2009 study by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy found that a national standard requiring utilities to institute programs reducing electricity demand by 15 percent and natural gas demand by 10 percent would generate more than 220,000 jobs by 2020.
Texas is blessed by a wealth of renewable sources. In fact, it has the technical potential to generate more than 17 times the electricity it used in 2008 from renewable energy, primarily from wind, bioenergy and solar. And it is beginning to take advantage of that bounty.Texas is a national leader in wind energy, generating more than 9,500 megawatts (MW) of installed capacity, thanks in part to the state’s renewable electricity standard. That standard requires utilities to increase their reliance on renewable resources to produce at least 5,800 MW (about 5.5 percent) of the state’s power needs by 2015. On March 5, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas reported a record high for instantaneous wind output of 6,272 MW. That met 19 percent of the total state customer demand, showing that Texas is on track to exceed the standard.
Likewise, Texas has been a leader on efficiency. It was the first state to adopt an energy efficiency resource standard, which required utilities to use efficiency to cut 10 percent of annual growth in power demand. This year the standard jumped to 30 percent of customer demand growth. Increased energy efficiency will translate into lower electricity bills.
Texas’s leadership on renewables and efficiency has meant more jobs. In 2007, Texas ranked second to California in numbers of businesses (4,802) and jobs (55,646) tied to the clean energy sector, according to 2009 report by the Pew Charitable Trusts.Can new reactor construction compete? According to a recent report by the Nuclear Information and Resource Service, even if new construction created 2,400 temporary jobs per site, a significant number of those jobs could go to workers overseas. All applicants seeking permits to build new reactors or building them now – including the South Texas Project — plan to use or are using foreign manufacturers and labor to build major reactor parts……..
So why is Christine Todd Whitman pushing nuclear power? Because the group she co-chairs, the benignly sounding Clean and Safe Energy Coalition, is a front for the nuclear industry. The industry trade organization, the Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI), created the coalition – which is little more than a website with a list of supporters — and is its sole funder. Whitman, who has been shilling for NEI for four years, has a right to earn a living, but your readers have the right to know she is a paid industry mouthpiece — a fact that she routinely fails to disclose — and that she is not giving them the whole story.
Renewable Energy Would Create More Jobs Than Nuclear Power : Greentech Media
Nuclear power will saddle taxpayers with endless costs
The last generation of nuclear plants left taxpayers on the hook for more than $300 billion in bailouts and rate hikes following ‘mishaps.’ All signs indicate that the new class of reactors will be just as problematic
(USA) Solar Is A Bargain Deal Compared To Nuclear, Change.org, by Ben Buchwalter July 28, 2010 Proponents of nuclear energy rely on three key reasons our country should develop new nuclear reactors rather than invest in cleaner solar power. One: They claim nuclear is cheaper than alternatives. Two: They say it is more efficient. Three: They say it relies on existing technology. Continue reading
Alice Springs – solar energy centre
These projects will demonstrate large-scale renewable energy technologies, including a variety of cutting edge solar photovoltaic concentrator [pictured] and solar thermal technologies.
CPV in Australia’s Red Centre A town called Alice: How CPV is springing up in Australia. Renewable Energy World, by Brian Elmer July 27, 2010 London — Located in the arid desert region in the heart of Australia, the small town of Alice Springs, with a population of 28,000 is normally best known as the jump off point for one of Australia’s best known natural icons, Uluru…….. Over the last few years though, Alice Springs has been attracting attention for another reason, its development of world-leading expertise in its use of one of the region’s other natural and abundant resources – solar energy.
Indeed, the central Australian region receives more sunlight than any other region in Australia, with over 7 kWh/m2/day of incident radiation, Continue reading
In USA solar powered electricity now cheaper than nuclear
Having dropped below nuclear power, solar power is now one of the least expensive energy sources in America.
Study: Solar power is cheaper than nuclear | The Energy Collective, July 27, 2010 by OshaDavidson The Holy Grail of the solar industry — reaching grid parity — may no longer be a distant dream. Solar may have already reached that point, at least when compared to nuclear power, according to a new study by two researchers at Duke University. Continue reading
Wind power going ahead in a big way
(USA) San Diego team behind world’s largest wind farm, SignOnSanDiego.com, By Onell R. Soto , July 26, 2010 A development team based in San Diego is leading an effort to build the world’s largest wind farm in Mojave.The $1.6 billion Alta Wind Energy Center consists of more than 600 wind turbines on desert ridge lines between Lancaster and Bakersfield.The 1,500 megawatt project is estimated to produce enough power for 275,000 homes, said Randy Hoyle, head of wind development for Terra-Gen Power. San Diego team behind world’s largest wind farm – SignOnSanDiego.com
Subsidise wind energy, not nuclear – UK Energy Secretary
U.K.’s Energy Secretary Huhne Favors Subsidy for Wind Energy Over Nuclear, Bloomberg, By Kitty Donaldson – Jul 25, 2010 Energy Secretary Chris Huhne favors harnessing both offshore and onshore wind power, saying the U.K. won’t subsidize a new generation of nuclear power stations……. Continue reading
National Gross Feed In Tariff- Greens’ call for Australia
The policy would work alongside a gross national feed-in tariff, giving renewable energy investors certainty; and would see an increased renewable energy target.
Australian Greens Renew Call For National Gross Feed In Tariff : Renewable Energy News, 26 July 2010, A plan developed by the Australian Greens to provide Australia with 100 per cent renewable energy by 2050 includes a renewed push for a gross, national feed in tariff for renewable energy. Continue reading
Citizen’s Assembly on Climate Change could have a positive result
Just for once, can we drop all the negativity, and work with what opportunities do exist? The fossil fuel lobbies and mass media did a great job in rubbishing the science on Climate Change. Yet it’s becoming ever clearer that global warming is real, and Australia is already feeling the results.
In the cynical quagmire of Australian politics, Labor could not get any genuine action on carbon emissions through Parliament, anyway. OK – they let us down. That’s what politicians do, when they fear that their jobs are on the line.
The combination of the Citizens Assembly and of a scientists conference provides the opportunity to turn public opinion around, to counter the greedy spin of the fossil fuel industries. This could produce a political climate in which the government COULD get some effective Climate legislation through.
Nuclear’s Brave New Confidence Trick to hijack Walk Against Warming
August 15 will be the day for “Walk Against Warming”. The nuclear lobby will try to use this occasion to promote nuclear power as a solution to global warming.
I like their slogan – “Brave New Climate”. It has echoes of “Brave New World” – a book in which the State exercised complete surveillance over people’s lives. And that would be the scenario, in a nuclear Australia. It’s an aspect not often discussed – but nuclear power is so dangerous, that it requires huge surveillance, and secrecy – indeed a Brave New World style influence on our lives.
Nuclear power far from being any solution to Climate Change, simply creates a new and potentially greater problem.
At the website below, a Double-sided A4 flyer can be downloaded, for printing off, and used to counter this attempt by the nuclear lobby to hikack the Walk Against Warming.
Nuclear Power & Climate Change — Friends of the Earth Australia
Suspend your cynicism on Citizens’ Assembly on Climate Change
Without question, they will want commitment from Gillard that their 12 months of deliberations will generate sustained reform on energy and climate policy.
Citizens’ assembly on climate may turn the heat on Gillard, The Age, Dr Carolyn Hendriks, 26 July 2010, Such forums tend to cut through the politicking and demand action.July 26, 2010 “…….Suspend your cynicism for one moment and consider what this citizens’ assembly might potentially offer. Continue reading
Here comes the sun – decentralised solar energy bill passed in USA
(USA) Here comes the sun, Beyond Nuclear 24 July 2010, The Senate Energy Committee yesterday approved Sen. Bernie Sanders’ (I-VT) 10 million solar roofs bill (S. 3460). This bill would provide tax credits and other incentives to encourage people to install solar power on 10 million rooftops across the U.S. It would ramp up mass production of solar panels and thus likely reduce their cost. It’s an easy bill to support. Here is an article that describes the bill.
USA’s 10 Million Solar Rooftops Act
a homeowner who decides to install a 5-kilowatt solar system which, depending on location, would produce enough electricity to cover most, if not all, of an average electric bill (the solar panels would produce excess power during the day that can be sold back to the utility, covering some or all of the cost of electricity when the sun is not shining).
Here Comes the Sun: Ten Million Solar Rooftops, Renewable Energy World, by Greg Chafee July 21, 2010 Continue reading
Victoria: large scale solar plant and feed-in tariff
There is no doubt this initiative will mean that many local and international solar developers will remain in the country, and that Australia will have the opportunity of ranking among the leading developers of large-scale solar in the world…..
CLIMATE SPECTATOR: Brumby’s solar hit…Giles Parkinson, Business Spectator, 22 Jul 2010 Victorian Premier John Brumby certainly didn’t miss with the timing of the state’s large-scale solar power plant initiative…..announcing a 5 per cent large-scale solar energy target, supported by the country’s first large-scale feed in tariff.…. Continue reading
Bob Brown will back Labor or Liberal Climate Bills
Asked if he would block a climate change package without a price on carbon, Senator Brown said: “Goodness, no. We’re advocating renewable energy. “We’re advocating energy efficiency and we’ll negotiate. “We’re in there for better outcomes. But it will be remiss of both Julia Gillard and Tony Abbott if they don’t get a carbon price.”
Brown promises climate backing, Sid Maher, Patricia Karvelas The Australian July 21, 2010
BOB Brown .. said he would pass climate bills from both parties even if they had no price on carbon.
The Greens leader, campaigning in Adelaide yesterday, also intensified his attack on the mining industry, saying his party wanted uranium mining at the South Australian behemoth Roxby Downs stopped. Continue reading
European Union looking to over 1 million renewable energy jobs
The biggest growth is anticipated to come from job creation in the consumer and small business sectors as homeowners focus on green lifestyles in order to enhance home energy efficiency, health, comfort and sustainability.
Green Jobs and Renewable Energy, ECOINSTITUTION, July 20, 2010 by davidhoward Renewable energy industry has proven its potential to create jobs. Under current policies, the European Union could create sizeable number of jobs: 950,000 direct and indirect full-time equivalent (FTE) jobs and increase to 1.4 million in the next decade. Continue reading
1 This month
of the week – Australians for War Powers Reform (AWPR)
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