Thursday, May 22, 2008

Renewables and Clean Energy Sources

THE FOLLOWING WAS SENT TO US FROM SCC MEMBER BARBARA THOMPSON. IT'S FROM THE GERMAN EMBASSY WEB SITE. Why would the Germans want to phase out nuclear energy?

I believe it's because they have wisely determined that true renewable energy resources are less expensive, less harmful, and faster to bring on line that nuclear. I think they are right! Let us know what you think by leaving a comment at the end of this post. Can we learn from the Germans and offer some REAL SOLUTIONS to our energy crisis? GV

Germans are getting creative and at the same time going back to the basics when it comes to developing and harnessing new energy sources. Grass, trash and manure are on the same list as wind and sun as viable and even profitable energy sources. The burgeoning industries in renewable energy sources are getting help from public financing and price guarantees to ensure that "bioenergy" will take off. And among the industries taking seriously the challenge to protect the environment is the German auto industry which is developing clean-burning cars.

long blue line
Serious Incentives

Germany aims to double the portion of electricity generated by renewable energies from 5 percent to 10 percent by 2010. A further goal is to increase that share to fully 50% by the year 2050. One serious incentive to this goal is the phasing out of nuclear power in Germany. The federal government last year adopted the law phasing out nuclear power within three decades. That will eliminate an energy source that currently provides about one third of the electricity in Germany.


Promoting renewables is just one part of a multi-faceted plan to bring climate and environmental protection requirements and the needs of a competitive power industry in line with one another. The approach also includes ecological tax reform, promotion of combined heat and electricity systems and a broad set of measures to promote energy conservation technologies. Not only will a new energy mix be developed, but the demand for energy will be reduced.

CLICK HERE TO GO TO THEIR WEB SITE AND READ MORE








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