I recognize I’m beginning at some level to sound like a grumpy old man, but if the Federal government is not going to adopt a national energy policy (which would promote the solar industry and other renewable projects as well), the states are going to have to stand up and do it. Unfortunately, the prospects for such revolutions on the state level are a mixed bag at best. Consider:
- New York is sick of watching its neighbor, New Jersey, become the state with the second-highest amount of installed solar in the country (behind only California). To encourage more development of solar in New York, they are considering creating a new tax rebate that would encourage utilities to get on the solar bandwagon. It’s typical of a progressive state like New York to get on board, but it doesn’t go into affect until 2013 (if it passes at all). We don’t need delays — we need solid policies in place that can help boost solar now. By the time this rebate is interested, New Jersey will be so far ahead that New York will always find itself in the rearview mirror.
- Earlier this week, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie announced an energy policy for his state, with much of the incentives going toward solar (as I said earlier, the state is second only to California, so it behooves Christie to hop on the train). It’s policies like this, ones that will buoy the industry, that will make solar a good long-term investment.
- In Tennessee, a recent report by the Tennesee Solar Institute revealed that the burgeoning solar industry in the state needs support if it’s going to continue to put people to work. The report had a lot of great suggestions on how to do that (which you can read more about here), but one of the biggest aids that the state can do is add tax incentives to encourage businesses and homeowners to move toward a solar future. It’s now in the hands of legislators to make sure this happens. I’m not optimistic, but I’m keeping my eyes on this development as we move forward.
- On the other end of the spectrum is Arizona, where the legislature is considering doing away the solar tax credit entirely. This, I do not understand. Arizona is ranked No. 5 in the country in solar power generation, and it’s quickly become a serious economic driver to the state’s economy. You’d think that legislators there would want to encourage investment in one of the fastest growing industries in the state — but sadly, you’d be wrong.
I’ve already stated before that I think the ideal way for solar incentives to get done is on a Federal level, so that there is no variation among the states. A solid national policy would encourage solar entrepreneurs to innovate and invest in the technology. But without the political courage in Washington to do anything, it falls to the states — and it drives me crazy that some people are willing to kick the ladder out from under the largest job creator in the United States in this horrible economy.
Vicky Hunter says
It makes me sick that in the State of VA (not knowing what all of their regulations, etc. on the power industry are here) can allow Dominion Virginia Power to still charge $125/mo to folks who’ve installed & are utilizing alternative energy sources just to maintain their being connected to the grid ~ Absurd !