Monday, April 27, 2009
Sunday, April 26, 2009
The Green Issue
Written as a reaction to an Article in San Francisco Guardian: The Green Issue.
The importance of energy efficiency goals and how it is Not Yet Sustainable in San Francisco.
With Earth Day looming over San Franciscans’ heads, and global warming no longer a back-burner issue, the global dependence on fossil fuels has become an ever pressing, serious issue. I firmly believe that the funds once promised to our city by the State are an absolute necessity in both the development of energy-efficiency programs, and in the creation of green-collar jobs; I am dismayed over the State’s decision to award the annual $18 million dollars of funding to PG&E, regardless of their failure to meet their energy-efficiency goals. Quite simply, the funds ought to have been allotted to Clean Power SF. Considering that the great majority of us who live in San Francisco staunchly love and respect the environment, this issue cannot go ignored.
In 2007, the California Public Utilities Commission devised a program to reduce the consumption of fossil-fuel burning power plants, with the long-term goal of educating the public as to how to use energy wisely. Initially, the program seemed promising: if utility companies achieved these goals, they would be rewarded hearty payouts handed out by the Commission. However, PG&E was awarded this payout, despite having never met their targeted goals. Although San Francisco, like other cities and towns, is comfortable, too comfortable, in its dependence on PG&E, it's time that our acclaimed 'green city' start putting our dollar where our mayor’s mouth is: in Clean Power SF with its renewable energy, and sustainable plan to create over 50 percent renewable power. Nevertheless, just like any big company PG&E has its hands in various different outlets throughout the city, and even in the office of the Mayor himself. Recently, Gavin Newsom proposed an initiative to install energy efficient traffic lights—a promising idea, made less promising by his announced partnership with PG&E. While the initiative is certain to be successful, it nevertheless complicates the position of Clean Power SF as it scrambles for the support of our Mayor and the State of California.
It's an exciting time in many ways; we have a new President who is a strong proponent of environmental polices and funding and we as a global community are finally acknowledging global warming to be a critical issue. In regards to energy, one way to implement sustainable change is to think of it in terms of the way we have come to view our food, summarized by the slogan, "Think Globally, Eat Locally." If we start thinking of our gas and electricity in a similar a vein, the result will surely create more local green-collar jobs and boost our economy. This goal demands education and people lobbying for a sustainable green change, but what better place to start than in San Francisco?
The importance of energy efficiency goals and how it is Not Yet Sustainable in San Francisco.
With Earth Day looming over San Franciscans’ heads, and global warming no longer a back-burner issue, the global dependence on fossil fuels has become an ever pressing, serious issue. I firmly believe that the funds once promised to our city by the State are an absolute necessity in both the development of energy-efficiency programs, and in the creation of green-collar jobs; I am dismayed over the State’s decision to award the annual $18 million dollars of funding to PG&E, regardless of their failure to meet their energy-efficiency goals. Quite simply, the funds ought to have been allotted to Clean Power SF. Considering that the great majority of us who live in San Francisco staunchly love and respect the environment, this issue cannot go ignored.
In 2007, the California Public Utilities Commission devised a program to reduce the consumption of fossil-fuel burning power plants, with the long-term goal of educating the public as to how to use energy wisely. Initially, the program seemed promising: if utility companies achieved these goals, they would be rewarded hearty payouts handed out by the Commission. However, PG&E was awarded this payout, despite having never met their targeted goals. Although San Francisco, like other cities and towns, is comfortable, too comfortable, in its dependence on PG&E, it's time that our acclaimed 'green city' start putting our dollar where our mayor’s mouth is: in Clean Power SF with its renewable energy, and sustainable plan to create over 50 percent renewable power. Nevertheless, just like any big company PG&E has its hands in various different outlets throughout the city, and even in the office of the Mayor himself. Recently, Gavin Newsom proposed an initiative to install energy efficient traffic lights—a promising idea, made less promising by his announced partnership with PG&E. While the initiative is certain to be successful, it nevertheless complicates the position of Clean Power SF as it scrambles for the support of our Mayor and the State of California.
It's an exciting time in many ways; we have a new President who is a strong proponent of environmental polices and funding and we as a global community are finally acknowledging global warming to be a critical issue. In regards to energy, one way to implement sustainable change is to think of it in terms of the way we have come to view our food, summarized by the slogan, "Think Globally, Eat Locally." If we start thinking of our gas and electricity in a similar a vein, the result will surely create more local green-collar jobs and boost our economy. This goal demands education and people lobbying for a sustainable green change, but what better place to start than in San Francisco?
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