Editor’s note: we’re pleased to publish this article by Susy Bento of Alcen Renewable in Orange; TheLiberalOC welcomes contributed articles on a variety of topics; simply email me (go to our “about us” page).
Achieving a 100% renewable energy infrastructure in the United States relies on uniquely ambitious legislation. The current plan under congressional debate, the 100 by ’50 Act, sets a lofty-yet-realizable target date of 2050.
The bill was introduced in April 2017 by senators Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), and Edwar J. Markey (D-Mass.). Environmental group 350.org calls it “the most ambitious piece of climate legislation Congress has ever seen.”
However, the legislation faces numerous setbacks on its path to become law. Nevertheless, similar bills are already on the table at the state level, and voter support for renewable energy is growing rapidly.
Pushing the United States towards a 100% renewable energy future enters the country into the worldwide race to become a leader in new energy. As the University of Stanford’s landmark 2011 study points out, the entire world could feasibly achieve a 100% renewable energy economy by 2050 – at a cost comparable to what we already pay now for fossil fuel energy.
But in order to get there, economic leaders such as the United States need to push the renewable agenda – a move that the 100 by ’50 Act represents.
Obstacles – and Solutions – to a Renewable Future
As expected, numerous obstacles must be overcome before renewable energy developers in the United States become the de facto energy providers in citizens’ daily lives.
Perhaps the most challenging obstacle this bill needs to overcome is ratification through a GOP-controlled House of Representatives and Senate. Beyond that, any new legislation needs to avoid the Trump administration’s power of executive veto.
Although the Republican party tends to side with advocates of fossil fuel interests, we have reason to be hopeful about clean energy legislation. The top five producers of wind energy in the United States are all Republican-led:
- Iowa – 31%
- South Dakota – 25%
- Kansas – 24%
- Oklahoma – 18%
- North Dakota – 18%
The primary Republican argument against renewable energy is economic in nature. Legislators feel beholden to constituents with deep ties to the fossil fuel energy industry, including coal miners and blue-collar oil and gas workers. However, considering the extraordinary growth of renewable energy jobs and the rapidly decreasing cost of renewable energy products, it is only a matter of time before this constituency falls in line with the burgeoning renewable energy economy.
Renewable Energy Progress Is Already Happening
The United States is already succeeding at renewable energy implementation at the state level. Hawaii has already put a plan in place to complete a 100% renewable energy infrastructure project by 2050, and appears to be ahead of schedule as of January 2017. At the same time, New York has also set a 50% renewable energy goal – the state plans on reaching this target by the year 2030.
California is in the process of setting a complete renewable electricity goal for itself and accelerating its previously ratified goal of achieving 50% renewable electricity by 2030. California’s three largest investor-owned utility companies are already well ahead of renewable portfolio standard, and popular opinion of renewable energy is very strong in the state.
In each of these cases, the primary force behind renewable energy legislation has been individual voters who rally behind politicians who represent their interests. People overwhelmingly want access to cheaper, cleaner electric power, and wish to make themselves independent of expensive non-renewable fossil fuels.
Joining the Global Renewable Energy Race
Renewable energy isn’t just a matter for the United States to decide – climate change is an issue that affects the entire world. However, other countries have already shown the feasibility of renewable energy and continue to demonstrate what renewable energy companies in the United States could do.
The South American country of Paraguay, for instance, produces so much hydroelectricity that it exports electricity to neighboring São Paulo, Brazil’s largest city and one of the most populous in the world. The result? Electricity consumers in Paraguay pay an average of $0.06 per kilowatt-hour for electricity, while Americans pay almost double.
Iceland is also a global leader in renewable energy generation. The small island nation uses geothermal and hydroelectric power to produce the cleanest electricity on Earth when calculated per-person.
The technology to produce clean energy exists – it is only each country’s political will to convert that remains.
Can the United States Do It? What Will the Renewable Future Look Like?
At this point, the question actually isn’t whether the United States can achieve a 100% renewable energy infrastructure, but when it will. As is to be expected, economic factors will remain in the headlines as public policy decision-makers gradually come to realize the benefits that renewable energy companies in the United States offer.
Even if the federal government’s position remains staunchly in favor of natural gas and coal, state-led initiatives such as those happening in California, New York and Hawaii will continue to pave the way towards a clean energy future. As people from other states see the difference this approach makes, they too will side with renewable energy.
Everyday people are already seeing a huge increase in available jobs in the renewable energy sector while coal-industry jobs slump. Solar and wind energy is only going to become cheaper and as time goes on, while fossil fuels must, by their nature, become more expensive. Giant fossil fuel corporations will eventually pivot to renewable energy simply because it makes more economic sense.
This points to a renewable energy-powered United States of America regardless of whether one particular bill passes or not. As innovators in fields like auto manufacturing and the aerospace industry bring clean energy to the spotlight, the future becomes greener every day. The average American need only ask – how can I contribute to this bright, renewable future?
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