As aging coal plants retire, Sierra Club activists, members and allies nationwide are doing innovative, exciting work to replace that power with clean energy. Americans know we must end our dependence on fossil fuels to provide cleaner, healthier air.
We also know that clean energy innovation is powering economic growth and creating new jobs in this country every day. These recent highlights from the Midwest are just a small sample of the groundswell of the homegrown support for clean energy that is sweeping the nation.
In Western Michigan last week, more than 170 people turned out for a wind energy public forum held by the local Sierra Club chapter and more than a dozen other businesses and nonprofits. The crowd listened to speakers like this one talk about wind power's benefits for that region, which includes everything from pollution-free electricity to job creation:
A wind turbine is made of more than 8,000 parts, said Sue Browne, program manager for BlueGreen Alliance Michigan. The alliance works to expand the number and quality of jobs in a "green" economy. Manufacturing wind turbines will bring both, Browne said. The process employs a variety of professions, from iron workers to electricians, she said.
This wind power event came on the heels of last month's report by the Michigan Public Service Commission regarding the state's development of clean energy and also the future viability of coal as a source of energy.
The report shows Michigan's renewable energy standard is directly sparking Michigan's economy, generating $100 million in investments, spurring manufacturing and business growth, and creating jobs.
In Michigan, not only is the state's renewable energy standard creating jobs and generating millions of dollars of investment, but the ongoing movement for clean energy has also meant that some renewable sources of energy -- particularly wind power -- are now cheaper than coal.
Also last week, the Sierra Club North Star Chapter in Minnesota delivered to Governor Mark Dayton more than 6,000 postcards calling for more solar power and clean energy. (See their photo at the top of the linked post.)
"It was a real team effort collecting these cards, with over 150 volunteers helping out since 2010," says Sierra Club volunteer Stephanie Spitzer, who helped coordinate the delivery.
The Sierra Club is part of the Solar Works for Minnesota coalition, a group of businesses, consumers, labor groups, the solar industry and clean energy advocates working to establish a Solar Energy Standard, with 10 percent of the state's electricity coming from solar by 2030. The Club is pushing for state agencies to achieve that goal by 2025.
The North Star Chapter is also working with solar installers to teach the public about what it takes to install solar at your home or office. This month's workshop is in Edina, Minnesota, where clean energy financing is available for businesses.
Finally, in Wisconsin last month, the Sierra Club John Muir Chapter hosted a Great Lakes wind stakeholder conference connecting potential supply chain businesses, local technical colleges, utility representative, labor, elected officials and environmentalists. Topics ranged from the economic opportunity of offshore wind for Wisconsin to responsible siting considerations. From the conference, a working group formed to continue exploring this clean energy opportunity.
And these are just three examples from the Midwest. All these events nationwide add up to a groundswell of support for clean energy. Americans see the benefits of clean energy and know it's time to make the switch.
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And FYI wind is one hell of a long way from being a solution.
Here in the Peoples Republic of Oregon, alternative energy is keeping electricity rate increases below the national average.
http://cleantechnica.com/2011/12/20/5-states-with-most-solar-wind-energy-had-smallest-increase-in-electricity-prices-2005-2010/
Wind energy has revitalized many rural counties in Eastern Oregon. We don't see the same issue of beach owners not wanting off shore windmills disturbing their views since we are not building off shore.
It is sad your state lacks the political will and courage to get wind power going off shore but I am sure those beach owners make larger campaign contributions to stop them ever being built than most of the electric rate payers in Massachusetts.
Texas is the nation's leader in wind power production and conservative while Oregon is ninth and liberal but we are much smaller state than Texas.
Too bad about your state but FYI wind is here and part of the solution but it depends on where you live.
Sorry to interject nuance into your world view.
Regarding the jobs created -- free money always does that. Temporary jobs. That's not progress.
According to a recent Harvard study
Coal Isn't a Good Investment, Says Tata
My point is a 50% reduction in the short term is better than a 0% reduction from "energy farming" i.e. wind and solar schemes.
We need to change our focus and get whatever reductions we can instead of cheerleading wind and solar schemes that don't make a difference. We need solutions, not dreams.
My work is here: http://www.solutioneur.com
I appreciate your comment - we agree completing about ending coal.
The most we can expect to gain from wind is the replacement of coal for natural gas. While that may result in a less polluting system, the cost will skyrocket and the coal will be shipped to China, India, and elsewhere, where it will be burned without scrubbers increasing pollution worldwide.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/12/29/AR2010122902899.html
The Chinese will use our cheap coal to make wind turbines and solar panels that will be exported to us so we can satisfy the artificial market created by the many mandates for renewable energy.
China wins. We lose!
Fanned
The Real Economics of the Increasingly Competitive Wind Power Industry