An article in last week's Wall Street Journal reports that electric utility companies are zapped about a surprise drop in electricity consumption not necessarily related to the economic recession but perhaps to conservation (energy efficient lightbulbs?). If so, this would be an early warning signal for California to re-assess its rush into Green Power (wind and solar) which is entirely redundant with conventional power resources (coal, natural gas, nuclear, hydro).
Our elected municipal leaders should quickly re-think their positions and policies on Green Power and the requirements of AB 32 in light of this new trend. Should a moratorium be called for on the adoption of policies for developing Green Power in light of this new trend and the uncertainty of the economy and bond financing? Is California headed into the California Energy Crisis II but doing nothing about it? Is conservation making Green Power unnecessary at this time? Are our politicians concerned more about the prospects of their political legacies than the likely consequences of adding redundant Green Power when the power demand market is collapsing?
Read here:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122722654497346099.html
From a Green perspective replacing fossil fuel plants with "renewables" is a perfectly acceptable outcome. If prices rise, then that will encourage more conservation. If economic growth is hurt, well, that's also to the good.
Posted by: charles warren | November 24, 2008 at 07:10 AM