So the Senate (after what, nine tries?) finally passes the solar investment tax credit. Now it looks like solar energy companies may be the only bright spot in the stock market. See Reuters report: Solar stocks enjoy rally as US tax breaks renewed
So solar wins out for once, but it can't win without giving big wads of cash to good-ole' Big Oil. It looks like the leadership in the Congress is buckling under the pressure of an uninformed electorate that insists that punching holes in the American coastline for more global warming juice is going to give them a break on the price. It probably will - in a decade. By then gas will be $5 a gallon anyway.
So is this a win for Florida? I guess so, as long as we don't consider the detrimental effects of continued growth in the combustion of fossil fuels and that Florida is the State that will suffer the most from sea level rise. The Florida Congressional Delegation also secured the extension of the moratorium for Florida.
At least we can now get closer to serious about solar energy production in this country. Hopefully Florida will take advantage.
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Mr. Sunshine - I do not know how to contact you, but I thought your readers would be interested in the following meeting:
ReplyDeleteThe Miami-Dade Building Code Compliance Office (BCCO) has been working with Broward County counterparts on issues related to the installation of alternative energy devices - primarily solar energy products - in residential and commercial structures.
A joint Broward/Miami-Dade Boards of Rules and Appeals (BORA) Sub-Committee meeting will be held on February 9, 2009 beginning at 10:00 am. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss issues with industry representatives to see what recommendations (both administrative and legislative) can streamline future renewable energy projects in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties. Recommendations from the joint Sub-Committee must, ultimately, be endorsed by both respective Boards.
The meeting will be held at 140 West Flagler Street in the BCCO 16th floor conference room.
Subsequent meetings will alternate between Broward and Dade venues until all issues have been resolved. Questions may be directed to Miami-Dade BORA Secretary, Yvonne Bell. Her office number is (305) 375-2047 or Yvonne@miamidade.gov.
Please forward to alternative energy / solar energy industry representatives and others who may be interested in participating and providing input.
Susannah Troner
Sustainable Initiatives Coordinator
Miami-Dade County Office of Sustainability