Diving Deeper Into GND. Following up to yesterday’s thoughts I wanted to get deeper into GND and the politics. First is the podcast, Pod Save America, which is about the most popular podcast in America bringing the topic to the mainstream and breaking down the reasons for the Green New Deal. Second is looking at a tweet from David Axelrod, courtesy of Jonathan Silver commenting on it so that I had it in my timeline. People are talking about climate change and environmental issues but forgetting about the renewable energy component of it, more on that to come.
SEIA’s Position. I wanted to see where SEIA was regarding the largest proposal that impacts our industry in DC. Here is the comment from SEIA CEO, Abby Hopper: “Climate change is real, and I am glad the Green New Deal takes a big and bold approach to deep decarbonization. There is no doubt that solar will play a significant role in slashing greenhouse gases. That said, any climate solution must have bipartisan support. We look forward to seizing this new momentum and working with members of Congress in both parties on policies that expand solar deployment, reduce electricity costs for hardworking families and help decarbonize the American economy.”
But, There’s A Shift. Right as I got this comment from SEIA, which is in line of my personal tendency to go towards the goal line (compromise), possible primary contender and GOP leader, Governor John Kasich, came out to tell the GOP to stop denying climate change. This wasn’t a philosophical or ideological statement and this is where we tend to be wrong on energy policy. The comment from Kasich was a political reality that voters support renewable energy policies and environmental preservation by enormous margins. Voting against solar is simply put, bad politics and that is the argument we should be making in DC and State Capitols. That is the message we should be sending about the GND, cutting red tape and getting rid of every restriction that stops solar from getting on homes is good for a politicians future and supporting incumbent monopolies is bad.
Where It Happens. If you want to see where politics of renewable energy play well, look at States and Cities, municipal utilities and cooperatives that are run by the consumer shareholders. They are the canary in the solar mine.
Companies Weigh In. Texas is a great example that shows where market driven decisions are applied. Wind and solar are the energy source of choice for America’s corporations, including the world’s largest oil majors.
What It Means. I will be doing a deep dive about the politics and what YOU can be doing to get involved. A new SolarWakeup podcast drops tomorrow and I will have political insiders at SolarWakeup Live! in Boston on March 26th. Get your tickets now, we have about 25% of the space left. solarwakeuplive.com
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Yann
Climate Leadership In Mass. The MA House Speaker has come out for a 10 year, $1Billion program to advance clean energy infrastructure. This is a long leap into the future for the legislature that is still pushing to advance net metering caps and is now running the SMART program. At the same time, solar is growing within corporate and community solar programs, many of which will be discussed at Live! Use DISCOUNT CODE SWLB20 for 20% off your ticket at solarwakeuplive.com
Insider’s View From Climate Coverage. I enjoy reading Amy Harder’s columns because as a well known reporter and journalist she covers things I find interesting. She also doesn’t shy away from giving her point of view as she does in this column about why writing about climate is becoming more interesting in this environment. Her column made the Mike Allen top 10 yesterday morning which means the White House is trying to learn about climate and energy journalism right now. That’s part of the interesting side effect of the politics of the Green New Deal and kids fighting for climate change policies, our market is talked about more than ever before. I think the solar industry actually does a pretty bad job of transcending the media landscape given the central role we play in all of this and the public perception/approval that the solar industry does. I think it’s time to see folks like Abby Hopper, Bernadette del Chiaro and Adam Browning on stage next to Al Gore, AOC or in studio at Morning Joe or Fox and Friends.
Tough DC Take On Huawei. The headlines have been brutal for Huawei, which has been working hard to enter the US with the inverter business. Most of the news coverage have been aside from the solar angle but that is now changed. Senator Cornyn wrote the letter which was signed by 11 Senators including Burr and Warner.
No. I wrote a few tweets about this yesterday because the one aspect of the Green New Deal that I have found liberating is the uncompromising approach it has. It’s 100% and it’s in 10 years. Most RPS either water down the percentages or take a long term approach. Why would a utility build another gas plant you ask? Because it is the best thing for the rate base today even though the utility could forward buy solar with storage at rates much better.
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Live! In Boston, DISCOUNT CODE. The agenda for SolarWakeup Live! Is almost final and we’ve got a very good and informative topics on deck. If you haven’t been to one of our events, you’ll get an inside look to the business and policies that make the market move. Use DISCOUNT CODE SWLB20 for 20% off your ticket at solarwakeuplive.com
Monday Thoughts. A short column this morning but here are some things I’m reading and thinking about. The green new deal is sparking a discussion in politics about how energy should be generated in America and what the policies around that should look like. The editorial board at the New York Times opines on the topic and David Roberts from Vox takes a deep dive on it. Intrigued about Kevin de Leon’s run for the Los Angeles Council as the next step, this could mean big changes coming to LA when he inevitably runs for Mayor. KDL was the driver of the SB100 legislation that drove California to 100% renewable energy. Yesterday Trump tweeted that he’s extending the deadline as the US and China negotiate a trade deal. Good news given the pending tariff increase that was slated for March 1st.
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Yann
Live! In Boston, DISCOUNT CODE. The agenda for SolarWakeup Live! Is almost final and we’ve got a very good and informative topics on deck. If you haven’t been to one of our events, you’ll get an inside look to the business and policies that make the market move. Use DISCOUNT CODE SWLB20 for 20% off your ticket at solarwakeuplive.com
Ratebasing Boondoggles. A brutal report for IOUs is out that is just plain nuts. Here are some stats about the spending by utilities which favors spending more and getting less since making money for shareholders is based on that dynamic. Transmission project spending is averaging $20billion per year up from $2billion per year in 1990. Many projects go forward with competitive bids and utilities are averaging 34% higher than estimated costs on those projects. On the other hand, when competition is allowed, bids come in 40% below those same estimates. Next time you hear monopolies talk about cost shift for solar, remember the states on rate based projects as one more reason that competition is key.
Point Counterpoint, GND Edition. Former NARUC President, Travis Kavulla, writes in the National Review about the Green New Deal. Reading between the lines, Travis is more focused on arguing that the utility model needs to change. His concern is that a Green New Deal would lead to major rate basing of projects by utility monopolies that reward higher cost, less efficient projects (see above) before transitioning to his further point. “Why not instead, if consumers are demanding clean energy, adopt policies that would make it easier for them to get it through their own choices? What the United States needs is not a Green New Deal. It needs a Customer Empowerment Act. Only 13 states allow all customers a choice of electricity supplier.” Case in point, GND gets clicks and using that to argue for consumer choice is worth it.
South Carolina Outlook. A new solar bill has passed the South Carolina State House and it heads to the Senate. It is a compromise based on a year of negotiation and a pretty contentious legislative session in 2018. However, when voted on in the house, it passed 110-0 and will now be heard in the Senate.
School Walkout, T-Shirt Ideas. On March 15th, thousands of kids will walk out of schools to make a case for elected officials to protect the environment for their future. While my kids (8 and 7) will probably be asked to stay in the classroom, I am hoping they indulge me in a t shirt messaging. I’d love to get your thoughts on t-shirts that are appropriate and clever! Send your recommendations by hitting reply.
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