Let's see, Tennessee. So, we're not the Saudi Arabia of wind. Even counting every square inch of our rocky hillside, we can't generate as much sun-soaked thermal solar energy as 92 miles squared in the desert South-West would. Our Tennesse Valley Authority produces most of it's electricity not with hydroelectric power as is commonly thought, but with some of the dirtiest coal plants in the nation.
So how can Tennessee help meet favorite son Al Gore's challenge of producing an inspiring 100% of our nation's electrity with clean & renewable sources? Maybe getting our republican politicians out of the way in Washington would be Step Zero.
Follow me below the fold for a plan I just discovered that looks like a road map that every Tennessean, red, blue, or purple, can use to turn green...
US Senate candidate Bob Tuke has an outstanding energy plan that I can sum up easily: bye-bye Lamar!
Entitled Achieving Energy Security the plan has something of a red-state ring to it, designed to appeal to the gas price gut-check, just- scraped-my-W-sticker-off-yesterday average Tennessean. Yet the plan refuses to soft-pedal the facts that we are in a war for oil, and that man-made global warming is real.
And as our nation grows increasingly dependent on foreign oil from nations that are enemies of America, our citizens are forced to fund both sides of the war on terror while filling our atmosphere with climate change pollution.
Underlying that security prose, runs a real conservationist core that seeks to protect our environment, and will create jobs to see us forward to a prosperous & energy smart future.
The whole thing is worth reading, but here are 3 interesting sections I'm happy to see coming from a Tennessean & would love to see inspire policies for Tennessee's role in the new energy future (my bolds).
Leadership
A recent study showed that 20% of the earth's carbon is emitted from developing nations due to production activities aimed at meeting the consumption needs of developed nations. The United States and European Union nations are able to cut carbon emissions in part because we’ve shipped manufacturing plants to other countries, like China and India, which have lower labor costs and an abundance of natural resources. Instead of simply pointing fingers, we must realize that the issues of global fossil fuel consumption and carbon emissions connect us all as one. As we develop new technologies to increase conservation, improve efficiency, and achieve energy diversity at home, we can export our technology to developing nations to achieve lower global demand for fossil fuels and reduce greenhouse gas pollution worldwide.
I'm impressed to see this debunking of the "they're doing it so we can too" meme by placing the responsibility back on the shoulders of Western over-consumption. Challenging the US to step up & lead is a real answer that will create the high-tech, non-exportable jobs we need.
Preserving the Natural Infrastructure
Mountaintop removal mining threatens our state's pristine vistas, wiping out forests, destroying waterways, and endangering wildlife. Mountaintop removal mining has destroyed nearly 1,200 miles of waterways and 387,000 acres of the forests in central Appalachia, while continuing to threaten many more of the places where Tennesseans love to hunt, fish, and hike. We must take action to stop further destruction of Tennessee's treasures. I support a permanent ban on all mountaintop removal mining in Tennessee and the use of coal derived from such mining in our power plants.
Tuke's strongly on the right side of this issue and we will likely see a law pass in the Tennessee legislature next year that will prevent the decimation of Tennessee's mountain tops. Putting Tuke in the US Senate will mean added protection for all of Appalachia's mountains, waterways, and workers.
Technology and Jobs
I support the development of three commercial-scale biorefineries throughout the grand divisions in our state, through a partnership of the TVA and Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Cellulosic ethanol made from Tennessee’s own alternative fuel crops will boost Tennessee agriculture while helping our nation to not be beholden to foreign cartels for our energy needs. There’s no use in developing and purchasing flex-fuel cars and trucks if we don’t have reliable and affordable ethanol readily available for drivers, which is why I support financial incentives to encourage more fuel retailers across the state to carry biofuel for Tennessee drivers.
Key word: cellulosic. No King Corn lobby to fight here in Tennessee.
Al Gore has laid down the gauntlet: a carbon-free future. Electing smart people with good policies is going to be key in making the next 10 years a flurry of exciting energy break-thrus and environmental successes. I think Bob Tuke's energy plan has some of those needed policies and a heaping dose of leadership to get 'er done. I'm sure he'd like to know what you think, too.