For July 4th, 10 Principles of True Energy Independence

By Tor Valenza
03 July 2012   |   

 

As we approach the July 4^th holiday for 2012, it’s a great time to reflect on the true meaning of energy independence for America, American businesses, and homes.
Sadly, a great deal of our nation believes that energy independence means drilling, fracking, and burning fossil fuels whenever and wherever financially possible, regardless of the cost to the environment, air, water, health, or burden to future generations. For those who have concerns about this path and support aggressive adoption of renewable energy, they’re labeled “radical.” And yet, weren’t our founders radicals too? And really, clean energy is not that radical. In fact, it’s quite main stream in other parts of the world, but still not in America.
With that in mind, let’s outline 10 principles of true energy independence.

1. True energy independence is renewable. Oil, gas, and coal have their limits. Many say we will run out by the end of this century. We will never run out of wind, sun, or geothermal energy.
2. True energy independence is self-generated. The more we have distributed solar PV and solar thermal energy on apartment building roofs, hotels, and homes, the less individuals and companies must depend upon fossil fuels and utilities.
3. True energy independence is domestic. We can “drill-baby-drill” all we want in the U.S., but estimates show that we will continue to import oil from foreign sources. We can produce solar components in the U.S. or anywhere; regardless, the energy actually produced will be here.
4. True energy independence causes minimal or no damage to our air, water, and land. To paraphrase the Vote Solar Initiative, when solar thermal energy has a sun spill, it’s called a nice day. The components of solar thermal panels are all recyclable materials, such as aluminum, copper, steel, glass, and plastic. Sustainability is inherent.