A Job and Investment Killer | RenewablesBiz

Yesterday I forwarded a Renewable Biz article highlighting concerns expressed over a national renewable energy policy. I admitted some of the arguments against a national RES policy made me re-think my pro-position. At the risk of creating whiplash, after reading today's article , A Job and Investment Killer RenewablesBiz, I believe the merits for a national policy exceed the concerns expressed in yesterday's article.

Specifically, using California as an example, the most important benefit to RES legislation is that it provides the stability required to invest in technology and create jobs. California currently provides an estimated 500,000 clean-tech jobs. In a time of continued economic uncertainty, and high unemployment, this fact alone has significant merit. Further, the potential reversal of the Global Warming Solutions Act via Proposition 23 presents an excellent case for a national policy. Without a firm national policy, state policies are at risk by special interest groups. And, back to the top priorities expressed by senior energy executives on my earlier blog, a national policy would provide some certainty (aka strategic direction) during uncertain times. Once a national policy is established, as noted in this article, investors will have the confidence to invest in technologies and companies to allow for job creation, better products and services and, ultimately, better pricing.

Sounds like a win-win to me.

Best,

Paula

The Readers Say No RES | RenewablesBiz

Since beginning my sustainability/renewable energy journey, I have expressed interest in securing a national RES policy to help encourage sustained uptake in the use of renewable energy and to help prevent utility monopolies from influencing policy. As I came from the telecom industry and saw first-hand the benefits of competition (better products, lower costs, more choices) derived from divestiture, I thought the utility model would work in a similar fashion. Perhaps I was wrong.

After reading the following article in Renewable Biz, The Readers Say No RES RenewablesBiz, I think I was a bit naive in thinking a national policy would solve the renewable energy sector's woes.  This article presents some valid points about state/regional specific needs potentially being overlooked in a national policy. There's also the concern that some states (NJ for example!) have more aggressive policies than those proposed by the Fed. If a federal policy is enacted, does it then negate existing state policies? While consistency is needed to facilitate funding and create stability, what is really in the best interest of the consumer, our economy and our planet?

I don't know the answer right now, but I'll keep reading until I can find it out.

Best,

Paula

News on the Energy Front

I attended last week's 7th annual Women in Power forum to learn more about the energy sector and pending legislation affecting renewable energy. The forum was hosted by Patton Boggs, a large DC Headquartered lawfirm specializing in public policy,  The all-women event was attended by several senior-level executives in the power industry as well as influencial policy makers from FERC and the US senate. All-in-all, the women were very impressive in both their knowledge and commitment to service-excellence. While they came from various segments of the energy industry-traditional energy, wind, solar and policy-and diverse educational disciplines-science, law, business, engineering- many agreed on the top issues affecting their businesses.

The top concerns expressed at the meeting included:

1) Security-predominately cyber-security and it's real threat of having someone shut down their transmission networks.
2) Policy-National Policy will dictate funding/investment that will help pay for new technology, renewables and transmission upgrades.
3) Predictability-with with smart-grid technology and renewable energy evolving, and carbon emission reductions and energy policy pending,  the leaders are operating with a considerable amount of uncertainty. A national policy which stimultates funding will help off-set this uncertainty by allowing for investment in new technologies and fostering longer-term planning.
4) Affordable, Safe Storage for Renewable Energy-Wind energy is volitile, with high peaks that tax transmission networks and low valleys that are costly. Solar produces energy during the day, but not during rainy days or at night when residential consumers have peak demand. To address these needs, energy companies want affordable, safe storage solutions that can contain the energy produced during peak operation.

In reflecting upon the day, I realized the energy industry is at a cross-road. Traditional utilities are incorporating renewable energy into their "mix" of energy sources, but are concerned by their inconsistant production and costs. They need a national transmission grid that allows them to load and off-load energy based on regionalized (renewable) energy production. They also need a clear vision of our country's energy policy to allow for longer-term planning to help balance investment costs with service reliability.

Best,

Paula

To find out more about Women in Power please visit Patton Boggs site:

http://www.pattonboggs.com/womeninpower10/