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Democrats Must Prove Commitment to Renewable Energy

By Stephen Lacey, Podcast Editor & Staff Writer
January 12, 2007 | 5 Comments

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Washington, DC [RenewableEnergyAccess.com] Now that Democrats have a majority in both the House and Senate, it is up to them to make renewable energy a priority on the legislative agenda; however, Democratic lawmakers might not provide the full political and financial support that people expect, according to a renewable energy expert and consultant in Washington, DC.

Whatever the amount of action, Democrats must work with Republicans to create an atmosphere of bipartisan cooperation on clean energy issues, "which I think the Democrats have been trying to do," Sklar said.

"The Democrats have wonderful rhetoric -- much better than the Republicans. And they have generically embraced these kinds of programs. But that doesn't always mean they're able to deliver the dollars or the regulations," said Scott Sklar of the Stella Group, speaking on RenewableEnergyAccess.com's Inside Renewable Energy podcast.

Sklar said on the podcast that Americans might expect a bit more "piecemeal" legislation from the new Congress, but they probably won't see comprehensive energy legislation that benefits renewables. Whatever the amount of action, Democrats must work with Republicans to create an atmosphere of bipartisan cooperation on clean energy issues, "which I think the Democrats have been trying to do," he said.

The 110th U.S. Congress began its legislative session on Tuesday, with Democrats pushing an aggressive "First 100 Hours" domestic agenda that, among many other things, will propose repealing some tax breaks for oil and gas companies and use that money to fund ethanol and biodiesel programs.

Want to learn more about what the new change in Washington will mean for renewable energy? Listen to the Inside Renewable Energy podcast, linked below.

Additional Information

Inside Renewable Energy Podcast

Bioenergy, Geothermal Energy, Green Power, Hydropower, Hydrogen - Fuel Cells, Ocean Energy, Other, Solar Energy, Wind Power

5 Reader Comments

Comment
1 of 5

adrian-akau-36758

January 12, 2007

Democratic Opportunity
The democratic party now whole and hearty needs to show the way,
New legislation, bipartisan participation is what we need today,
New rules to set and funds to get bringing renewable energy on line,
Two thousand and eight will be just great if democrats do the job on time,
If talk and bluster is all they can muster then progress will be slower than snails,
And the people in power will no longer tower but be lost without wind in their sails,
But give them a chance for their song and their dance to show what they really can do,
Laws and decisions with funding visions will make energy wishes to come true.

adrianakau@aol.com

Comment
2 of 5

adrian-akau-36758

January 12, 2007

Now is the opportunity for the Democrats to push ahead and prove that they have got the "right stuff". The 2008 elections are coming up and it is time for them prove the voters right in switching over to back them up. We have given them the power now to lead with the decision making and I hope that they do a good job.

We need dollars and regulations, not words.

adrianakau@aol.com

Comment
3 of 5

julie-boerst-59713

January 13, 2007

It would be lovely if the Dems stepped forward, but I'm glad we don't have to rely on them if we come at the renewable energy issue from a consumer angle.

What if solar energy suddenly caught on and spread like wildfire without any legislative help? What if it became easily accessible to consumers with no changes in current policy? Then the Dems and Republicans alike will be very receptive to the wishes of the suddenly very powerful renewable energy industry.

Here's a vision for that scenario: www.jointhesolution.com/joinsolar

Comment
4 of 5

larry-simpson-32007

January 17, 2007

While hopeful the Dem's improve upon existing renewable energy policy, it's interesting and counter-intuitive:
- The boom in ethanol (quadrupling production, renewable fuels standard, passing Brazil as #1 in world production) happened during the Bush Administration and was led primarily by red states and their representatives.
- A failed provision to strip the renewable fuels standard from 2005 EPAct came from Senators Schumer (D-NY) and Feinstein (D-CA).
- A failed attempt in June, 2005 by NY, CA, and CT requesting a waiver from the EPA that gasoline contain an oxygenate after MTBE was banned. Senator Schumer's quote "with gas prices already through the roof, it is unconscionable for the EPA to play ethanol politics"
- US was #1 in new wind energy installations in 2005, 2006, and will likely retain that ranking in 2007.
- Bush, as then governor of Texas in 1998, passed the first successful renewable portfolio standard in our country.

Comment
5 of 5

glenn-andersen-47991

January 17, 2007

1.) If Dem efforts to clean up the political process are carried out, one can expect less influence peddling by lobbyists, especially big oil. If Exxon can afford to pay their top-dog $400 million in 2005 (according to the New York Times), then imagine what they must be willing to spend to protect the oil-based economy.

2.) Senator Clinton has advocated a $50 billion national program to advance renewable energy development, along the lines of a reach-the-moon program, or a find-the-wmds program. If carried out, it could be a good step in the right direction.

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Stephen Lacey

About: I am a reporter with ClimateProgress.org, a blog published by the Center for American Progress. I am former editor and producer for RenewableEnergyWorld.com, wh... more »