This past year, we have
experienced a series of terrible accidents that accompany our constant search
for more energy. Our thirst for oil takes us further into deep waters. Our
coal-fired power plants require miners to risk health and life in underground
seams. Nuclear energy, once “too cheap to meter,” can release radiation that
remains toxic forever. You rarely hear about an accident at a solar array, a
wind farm, a geothermal or biomass plant. It’s time to tell the truth about our
energy costs. It’s time for a new energy plan – one that’s based on safe,
abundant, clean energy sources.
Sources: California Energy
Commission, “Comparative Costs of California Central Station Electricity
Generation”, Jan 2010.
Lazard, “Levelized Cost
of Energy Analysis” – Ver. 3.0, June 2009.
Energy Information
Administration, “Cost of New Electricity Generating Capacity” in the Annual
Energy Outlook, 2011.
Often the proponents of
fossil fuels and nuclear energy state that ‘renewables cost too much’ or ‘they
can’t supply the needs of our modern global economy.’ It’s true that renewable
technologies may initially cost more to build, but once commissioned the fuel
is free. The authorities in the above studies show many competitive
clean energy options. And while we currently use solar, wind and geothermal for
just 4% of global energy demand, our global potential capacity is for thousands
of times more than we could ever use!
The energy choices we make today will determine the world we leave to our
children. It’s time for a new energy plan. Doesn’t it make sense to invest in
clean and abundant renewables, and not energy resources prone to costly
accidents? We are republishing our article entitled “Flip the Old Energy
Model Upside-Down,” and invite you to share this with your friends,
leaders in government and media contacts.
In partnership for the
planet,
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