We have actually been overwhelmed with telephone calls from our existing customer and friends asking questions about the Cap and Trade Bill that has passed the House and is now in the US Senate. This bill, officially named the American Clean Energy and Security Act has been stirring up political talk on nearly every news broadcast network and every social networking site.
Many individuals are screaming that this is going to cost the public more and many are saying it’s going to save the planet and cost nothing. We are here to tell you, that we have read the bill and will offer some guidance on the terminology it entails.
If after reading the paragraphs below and doing a little research of your own; you may form an opinion that this bill should pass. If so, it is imperative that you make your voice heard and share this article (use the button that says share).
Your Elected Florida Senators are listed below, as well as a link to find your Senator for those of you who have primary residence outside of Florida.
If you don’t think it should pass, you can probably just do nothing. Why? The Gas and Oil Industry as sited in this linked article in the Miami Herald (which has been removed – now available on Google cache) has spent a lot of money to protect their interests.
During the first 90 days of 2009 the Gas, Oil and Coal Energy industry has spent $92,000.00 per hour on lobbyist voicing their opinion on Capitol Hill. That’s an 8 hour day, no weekends and 1 holiday.
A Federal Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS):
Considering our legislature here in Florida could not agree whether Florida wanted renewable energy or not they chose to defeat a local policy. Nevertheless the Federal Government has proposed a nationwide solution.
This proposed standard is a 20% Renewable Energy by 2020. Keep in mind that up to 25% of that 20% can come simply from proving energy efficiency. However there is a very large “DO THIS” written between the lines where they talk about solar energy.
The bill Promotes Small and Large scale distributed energy like Residential Solar Electric and Small Commercial under 4MW. The bill creates incentives for smaller systems by giving the Utility 3 times the credit once the system is in operation. This is beneficial to both you and the utility.
The Credits are called Renewable Energy Credits or REC’s which in the bill are proposed as bankable. Those states that strongly catch on to renewable energy may have Utilities or Companies with excess credit which will have a monetary value. They can bank them for later use or sell them to companies or utilities that need them to avoid Federal carbon tax fines. Because this is is a Federal Standard the value will be consistent across all markets creating a valuable security for trading.
The bill provides a clear definition as to who a Retail Electric supplier really is. This may make solar leases more viable for some Florida Homeowners as well as Commercial Power Purchase Agreements.
Just remember this. Most Utilities never really invest their own money in anything that creates energy for you to buy from them. They normally invest your money, which they are given through a rate increase or tariff (example: Storm Charge). The Federal RPS ensures they invest a regulated percentage of your money back in you, usually through a rebate to bring down the cost of solar panels or solar water heaters. The Bill also allows any State Governor to require 40% of the requirments to come from Renewable Energy Systems.
Even more importantly, there are provisions for higher energy efficiency development and existing building conversion so condo and town home owners as well as new construction purchasers will benefit as well. New construction energy efficiency programs will ensure the developer’s costs are not deeply affected for building smart – not cheap.
Trucking & Transport Industry Carbon Regulation:
One thing that is getting some people a little upset about is the provision regarding carbon management for large fleets. This would include most major hauling, road construction and marine transport companies.
However, the reality is this; those fleets must first calculate their carbon footprint and then begin working diligently to promote sustainable business practices within their organization.
A good example is UPS, they maximize their routes for their drivers reducing the fuel used, time spent at idle and more packages delivered quicker. This type of practice has increased their revenue, reduced their carbon footprint as well as created jobs and kept old ones. They did this voluntarily.
Under the new Federal Standard companies will be required to Monitor and Report their progress. Their progress will be tracked and they must gradually achieve the minor changes required through this bill, changes that one of the worlds most popular shipper has already done, but yet other companies have not followed their lead.
So after reading that, you might have just thought, shouldn’t a major polluter be doing that anyway, just like UPS? Probably, but nearly all of them don’t, and many of them take advantage of lack of standards by driving poorly maintained vehicles with very high carbon emission or fluid leaks. Hence the proposed bill.
Motor Vehicle Manufacturing and Efficiency Standards
The bill is also crammed with large incentives regarding Electric Vehicles and the entire supply chain that goes with them. This includes re-tooling machinery to manufacture the autos, construction and deployment of places to charge them once they exist and better fuel mileage vehicles.
The American Auto industry is in shambles. Unfortunately, they believe that Americans will continue to buy American regardless of how poorly managed, constructed or polluting their cars are. However, we change our tune when the cost to get to and from work, soccer practice or dance lessons becomes unaffordable. But without an incentive to change old ways to new, large “un-fail-able” companies will have their hands out to keep their workers employed.
As one government official stated during a recent session “Seriously people, NONE of us came here on a bicycle.” We are going to buy cars, new cars, some more frequently than others, because we can and want to. These provisions are a forced advancement in technology we need, but are incapable of demanding. “I just won’t buy cars from THEM”, is not working positively. But it is… in fact working.
Carbon Sequestration or Recapture – Commonly known as Clean Coal.
Currently our nation depends on coal fired power plants to provide you around 50% of the electricity you need to run your hair dryer, oven, the computer I am typing this on. Coal is by far one of the most pollutant materials we can use to make electricity aside from Nuclear IF there was ever an accident.
Currently our Nations Coal fired power plants are burning 24/7/365 without a major regulation on how much soot, Mercury or Carbon is bellowed into our atmosphere. The bill creates new regulation for the development of New Coal Fired power plants as well as a transitioning phase to upgrade Old Coal Fired power plants.
New Coal Fired Power Plants will be required to apply for and obtain a Clean Air Act pre-construction approval or permit. This permit will include added regulation for construction as well as operational requirements and most likely employee sustainability practices.
Please keep in mind; even though we don’t see it here in Florida, there is nothing clean about mining coal. We did not see anything regarding how not to destroy the environment when strip mining for coal. That would probably cost too much.
Here is a link to the copy of the ACES Bill. Read it for yourself. It’s 932 pages long. Also, feel free to review the Solar Energy Industries Association overview published by Rhone Resch —>here.
Here are our Senators Contact info and pages. Tell them how you feel they should vote for you.
Martinez, Mel – (R – FL) http://martinez.senate.gov/
356 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-3041
Web Form: martinez.senate.gov/public/?p=EmailSenatorMartinez
Nelson, Bill – (D – FL) http://billnelson.senate.gov/
716 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5274
Web Form: billnelson.senate.gov/contact/index.cfm
Outside of Florida? Find your senator at www.senate.gov
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