Articles by Adam Browning

The next big vote on renewable energy

The next big vote on renewable energy won't take place in Washington. It will take place in Phoenix.

Some time this summer, the five commissioners on the Arizona Corporation Commission will vote on a proposed rule to significantly expand renewable energy in Arizona -- 15% renewables by 2025, 30% of that from distributed-generation resources like solar. We are talking on the order of up to 1,800 MW of solar: a very big deal. The emissions reductions are roughly equivalent to removing 1 million cars from the road -- not to mention jumpstarting the clean technologies of the future.

There is a precarious 3-2 majority on the Commission right now, and the usual suspects are gearing up opposition.

There's a public comment period culminating in a public meeting on May 23. Demonstrating the public mandate for renewable energy is critical. We've set up a petition -- if you live in Arizona, here's your chance to stand up and be counted. Or no complaining later.

The period of consequences

Uh-oh.

Climate scientists have documented a pronounced slowdown in the Pacific Ocean atmospheric system that drives the trade winds, a prediction of global warming theory that appears to be coming true.

You -- or Jonah Goldberg -- might say: Trade winds? Who uses trade winds anymore? I get groceries by truck, not square rigger. The scientists continue:

They focused on the giant system known as the "Walker circulation," named in honor of Sir Gilbert Walker, the late British scientist who was one of the first to trace connections among widely scattered weather events. The system is a kind of heat engine that drives half the world's climate.

When you read things like this, remember that there is a relatively small group of people who took money to ensure that our federal government not only ignores the threat, but undercuts those working toward effective remedies.

Lessons from the professor

After Jonah Goldberg published his scurrilous harangue on global warming in the Los Angeles Times on Earth Day, I and others posted some thoughts -- combined with what we thought were knock-out sit-yer-butt-down-and-shut-up witticisms.

Amateurs.

Professor Juan Cole shows us how it is done.

I must admit to some jealousy.

Nation’s largest solar home community

I have no idea if this is actually the nation's largest solar home community. I do know, however, that it's good news:

Homebuilder, Lennar today announced a partnership with PowerLight Corporation and Roseville Electric to build the nation's largest solar community. The Sacramento division of the national builder, Lennar, operates locally as Renaissance Homes and Winncrest Homes and will integrate photovoltaic systems and upgraded energy efficiency measures into 450 new homes slated to be built in Roseville over the next two years.

When municipal utilites, homebuilders, and solar installers team up and cooperate, efficiencies and cost savings can be maximized. Solar installations are cheaper when installed at the time of contruction. Houses can be oriented to maximize production. And the distribution system can be sized appropriately, with additional potential savings.

How did this happen? Back in November, the city passed a requirement making it so.

Leadership on clean energy is at the local level.