I Am Legend: Isolated But Not Alone (by Becky Garrison)

Last Thursday, the U.S. Senate dealt a losing hand to all those who believe in solar power as a vital component of our energy future.

By a vote of 59-40, just one vote short of the number needed to cut off debate, the Senate failed to include a tax title in the 2007 energy bill that would have provided investment and production tax credits for renewable energies.

Many people have worked long and hard this year to secure a government commitment of support for solar and other nascent renewable industries, including solar citizens like yourself, Congressional Democratic leadership, environmental and conservation groups, industry associations, and scientific bodies.  And although representatives and senators were left in no doubt about the importance of the legislation to America's future, the peculiarities of the American way of politics trumped common sense and hope.  Senators from states where the oil and gas industry lobby is strongest voted to continue support for the industry, even though the proposed tightening of tax breaks would have amounted to only 1%-2% of its net profits.  To see which senators voted against the tax title measure, check the list at the end of this message.  (Look closely and you'll find one Democrat who voted 'nay', and one presidential candidate who failed to vote at all).

Late Thursday evening, the Senate finally voted on what was left of the bill.  Absent investment tax credits, production tax credits and a national renewable electricity standard (RES), the bill sailed through by a vote of 85-12.  It will now go back to the House, then on for signature by President Bush.  And what the President signs will contain CAFE standards for automobile mileage standards, a renewable fuels mandate, and provisions for energy efficiency in federal government departments.  For renewables, there is practically nothing.

The timing of the vote may strike historians as curious in years to come;   half a world away in Bali, attendees at the UN global warming conference were working toward final agreement on long-term measures to mitigate climate change while the U.S. Senate was rewarding the oil and gas industry for its long-term support.

That renewable energy development in America has suffered a setback is not in question.  But reports of its death have been greatly exaggerated.  Congressional Democrats have stated that they intend to resurrect the RES and tax credit issues in their next session, perhaps in a separate, dedicated bill.  And lobbyists for renewable industries have vowed to keep up pressure on legislators from now until the November elections.

For all those solar citizens who took the time this year to call, fax or e-mail their legislators over this issue, we say a loud and heartfelt "THANK YOU!"  And yes, you were heard.  In the week before Thanksgiving, the House of Representatives took the tax title off the table;   the uprush of public outrage caused by this maneuver forced the lower chamber to restore the funding in short order.  Did this matter, given the final result?  It certainly did, because now no-one on Capitol Hill can be in any doubt that renewables have a high level of support among their constituents.  This should impact Congress' decision-making as an election year unfolds.

For news on the Senate vote from RenewableEnergyAccess.com, click here.

For Solar Nation commentary, click here.

Republican Senators Voting 'Nay' on Cloture Vote for Energy Bill Tax Title
 

Stevens (AK), Sessions, Shelby (AL), Kyl (AZ), Allard (CO), Martinez (FL)
Chambliss, Isakson (GA), Craig, Crapo (ID), Brownback, Roberts (KS)
Bunning, McConnell (KY), Vitter (LA), Bond (MO), Cochran, Lott (MS)
Burr, Dole (NC), Hagel (NE), Gregg, Sununu (NH), Domenici (NM), Ensign (NV), Voinovich (OH), Coburn, Inhofe (OK), Specter (PA), DeMint, Graham (SC), Alexander, Corker (TN), Cornyn, Hutchison (TX), Bennett (UT), Warner (VA), Barrasso, Enzi (WY)              

   Republican Senators Not Voting on Energy Bill Cloture Vote

McCain (AZ)

Democratic Senators Voting 'Nay' on Cloture Vote for Energy Bill Tax Title

Landrieu (LA)

Friends:

Some days are uneventful, with little but the promise of extra pie for dessert to get you through.  And then--some days are pivots upon which the course of history turns, moments in time when each of us are called upon to decide the kind of future we want for ourselves and for our children, and take to the ramparts. Tomorrow is one such day.

Tomorrow, Thursday, the Senate will vote on a revised energy bill that includes critical solar investment tax credits necessary to bring solar into the mainstream.  Negotiators have jettisoned the renewable electricity standard (RES) and altered some of the revenue-raising tax provisions to make it more palatable to some oil-aligned Senators and the White House.  But the vote will be extremely close - the bill needs 60 votes to pass, and the opposition is burning up the phone lines, urging Senators not to vote for a bill that eliminates unneeded production incentives for the oil and gas industry.  Word is we are ONE VOTE SHORT.

Can you take a moment to call your Senator, immediately? Find their number here.

You might tell your Senator that the future of the country is dependent on our ability to transition to renewable energy, and that a failure to act now would be a dereliction of duty that future historians will rue for centuries.  But put it in your own words.

Talking points, bill text, and bill summary can all be found here.

Forget the pie. Make the call. Act now or no complaining later.

This holiday season, start green traditions with your family and friends -- traditions in which lavish gifts, mountains of wrapping paper, and big post-holiday bills are out, and recycled decorations, gifts from the heart, and money in the bank are in.

Here are nine ways to make it happen:

1. Deck the halls with LEDs.

Keep your January utility bill from skyrocketing while doing the right thing for the environment. LED (light emitting diode) holiday lights use the same computer-chip technology that lights calculators and watches, making them super energy-efficient. In fact, they use up to 96 percent less energy than standard holiday lights.

LED lights can last an amazing 20 years, and check out the cost comparison: To use 10 sets of 100 conventional lights for 5 hours a day for a month, over 5 seasons, you can expect to pay $761.25. For the same number of LED lights over the same time period, you would spend only $7.61 in electricity. They cost slightly more than conventional lights, but you'll save a bundle on your utility bill.

Pick them up at your local home improvement store, or shop online and pay around $20 for two sets.

2. Give green gifts.

Pull out your holiday list and check it twice. Which gifts can you replace with a greener version? Think cashmere sweaters, natural beauty products, soy candles, and green jewelry made from recycled gold and silver. Skip a trip to the mall and shop online to save gas. Then save up to 25 percent with coupon codes for a variety of green gift stores posted on one of my favorite green sites, Ideal Bite.

For that person who has everything, many conservation groups have sponsorship programs, where you can "adopt" a particular species to help protect. These make excellent gifts, and help spread the word about protecting our planet's diversity. At the World Wildlife Fund's adoption center, you can choose from 80 different vulnerable species, including polar bears, sea turtles, wolves, and penguins.

Whenever you donate to a charity, be sure it's legitimate. Check them out first at Guidestar.org or Give.org. And save your receipt for your tax deduction!

3. Wrap with recyclables.

Over the holidays the amount of household garbage we generate increases 25 percent, from 4 million tons to 5 million tons per week. Saving and reusing gift-wrapping paper cuts down on waste and saves money. Be creative and wrap presents in the Sunday comics, maps, or brown paper grocery bags -- all at no additional cost.

If you must wrap your gifts with holiday paper, buy recycled at sites like Smith & Hawken, or buy reusable cloth bags at Lucky Crow, where you'll get more for your money since you can use gift bags again and again.

4. Make your greetings green.

The U.S. Postal Service will deliver 20 billion cards, letters, and packages between Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve this year. Nearly 300,000 trees will need to be harvested to produce all the holiday cards sold this season -- enough to fill a football field 10 stories high! That's not just a lot of paper, either -- think of all the resources used to move all that mail.

Save money, time, and trees by sending e-cards instead. There are dozens of web sites where you can send virtual cards for free. Check out Hallmark and American Greetings for starters.

If you're determined to mail traditional cards, opt for 100-percent recycled, which you can find at sites like Holiday Classics and Doodle Greetings. Better yet, order from a site like Cards for Causes, where the cards are made from recycled paper and 20 percent of the purchase price goes to the charity of your choice.

5. Decorate with nature.

The most beautiful, authentic, and eco-friendly decorations are right outside your front door -- for free.

Take the kids on a treasure hunt for pinecones, acorns, evergreen branches, and real holly. Visit craft sites for great ideas on how to turn your finds into some great "green" holiday trimmings.

6. Host an organic potluck dinner.

An organic potluck dinner party provides the perfect setting for an evening of food, fun, and celebration -- and it's easy on the wallet and environment, too. Ask each guest to bring a dish, but give them a challenge: Use as many locally grown organic ingredients as possible. Buying locally grown foods means that fewer resources were used to transport it to the market -- and it's fresher and healthier for you.

Let the green theme flow to your table setting by using sustainable tableware and serving plates, and decorating with your all-natural Christmas decorations from outdoors.

Don't throw away the leftovers, either. Instead, donate what you don't eat to your local food bank or homeless shelter. Special E is a unique green event-planning resource that "rescues" leftovers for a small fee. Visit them online.

7. Travel green.

The American Automobile Association estimates that 65 million Americans will travel more than 50 miles over the holidays. Ninety-one percent of the travel will be done by car.

If you're among the travelers, it's critical to make sure your car is tuned before you leave. A well-tuned car with properly inflated tires burns less gas, which means you'll get more miles for your money and emit less pollution into the air.

Try to pack lightly as well, since unnecessary cargo will create drag and lower your miles-per-gallon usage.

8. Go shopping in your closet.

Extend the green theme of "reduce, reuse, recycle" to your wardrobe this year. Do a holiday sweep of your closet to find the perfect outfit for the holiday office party. I'll bet you'll be surprised by what you find, and you can always dress it up with a new holiday scarf or tie.

If you really feel you have "nothing to wear," why not borrow or swap party clothes with a like-minded friend? Your colleagues will be none the wiser, and you'll get a new outfit that doesn't cost a dime.

9. Spend time, not money.

According to the National Retail Federation, the average American plans to spend $817 on holiday-related purchases this year. I can't help but think that much of that spending will be on things people don't need and can't afford. It doesn't have to be this way.

You don't have to fill your holidays with stuff. Instead, make the conscious decision to spend quality time with family and friends. Create meaningful experiences and memories to last a lifetime. And, of course, don't take for granted what makes it all possible -- this amazing planet we live on.

In the past few months I've posted a few times about the Energy Bill that is pending in Congress.  As concerned citizens we are attempting to get this passed before the end of this year – the vote will likely be this week or next week.  The House passed the solar industry's desired version of the bill in June, and Senator Pelosi has assured us she has the votes to push it through again.  However, the challenge is in the Senate.

The added complication here is there are three energy issues – the extensions to the solar Investment Tax Credit (so-called ITC), a proposal to create a national Renewable Portfolio Standard (so-called RPS), and an increase in fuel economy standards for cars (so-called CAFÉ).  The ITC is critical for the solar industry and for REgrid Power (the company I work for) because without an extension soon, commercial solar projects will start to dry up, which will cause a slow-down in  business and will also keep prices high because there will be no national market for solar.  The RPS would help this, but it is secondary to extending the ITC.

The CAFÉ standards are something I support but they are not central to the purpose; however, it is likely that a bill supporting solar will only pass if all three of these issues pass together.  The key to making that happen is to get 60 votes in the Senate for it, and the key to that is 2 or 3 key swing vote Senators.  Read the description below at SEIA for a more detailed analysis.

Here's what you can do to help:

1. Call Sen. Boxer and Sen. Feinstein's offices and register your support for the Bill.  Mention that solar power creates energy independence, which means reducing our dependency on imported fuels such as natural gas to be burned by power plants.  Feinstein and Boxer already support the bill, but your call is needed so they know the overwhelming support this bill has in California.

2. If you have any connections to the three states listed below – New Hampshire, Nevada, and Tennesee (such as family connections or where you grew up or your distant uncle lives there), then call the Senators in those states as well and urge them to support this important bill.  Be sure to mention your connection to that state and how solar power can create jobs and energy independence for their state as it has in California.

3. If you have any friends, family, or myspace buddies who would also be willing to call or who have connections in these states, then forward this to them and ask them to help by calling as well.

This is an important effort to support renewable energy at a critical time. Remember that even early in the morning at 7AM, it is already 10AM in Washington, DC, so you can make the calls before you go to work or school. If you click on the link below, it will take you to a website where you can look up the phone numbers of the Senators.

Thank you for your support for this important effort for our future. Let's let our Senators know how important this bill is to us as Americans.

Michael posits that there is a sacred view of evolution and of christianity where science and christianity are no longer non-overlapping-magisteria but they are meant to guide each other.

Visit his website or read his blog. This is some really interesting stuff.

I would strongly suggest listening and even inviting Michael to your church or group to speak.

Would love to hear some feedback for those of you that take a look at his site.

The United Nations' Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change shared the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize with Al Gore in recognition of work done to document and publicize global warming.

The international community meets next month in Bali, Indonesia, to consider how countries should respond to climate change. The IPCC will take its report to the gathering in hopes of spurring action by the world's governments to curb the production of greenhouse houses.

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