Posted by Snow in 
California Governor Arnold Schwarzanegger intends to executive order that all electric utilities in the Golden State generate a third of their power from renewables resources by 2020. But California isn’t called the Golden State for nothing. Why is California needing to import green energy from any other state at all?
But the mixed reaction and mixed opposition and mixed support from various groups begs the question, just what is this order intended to achieve? Green freedom for green energy growers, or more green in the accounts of rich energy corporate monoliths?
Autonomy from carbon footprint enlargement, or environmental crash and burn dependence on other states’ energy exports? Wasn’t this kind of bill introduced to avoid just the kind of price legerdemain the rolling blackouts and supposed “power problem” Southern California experiences, and has experienced?
Trade unions want to keep green jobs in California, and you’d think considering the economical trash heap Schwarzanegger is leaving California in, he’d be looking for any way to put a good stamp on his gubernatorial exit visa. But the question marks are still flying thick and fast.
Renewable resources in a state like California would seem to indicate solar, wind power, hydroelectric and nuclear, form the catalog inclusion Schwarzanegger intends to confirm. But challengers claim this policy is loosely defined, unenforceable when Arnold leaves office, and wil stagnate solar and wind energy production locally. Air quality and environmental topics are hot button issues to the state governed bythe son of former Austrian (ahem) officer.
Yet in Austria today, biofarming and sustainable meat processing, organic is a way of life. If California isn’t full of Arnold’s “native” people, why doesn’t he go back to the land? All over Austria today, bio-organic processes for farming and food production swamp the countryside with organically raised cattle.
If Arnold Schwarzanegger was governor in Austria today, he wouldn’t have a choice about using sustainable fuels. He’d have to be promoting these methods.
Critics to Arnold’s executive order claim the move will engender protectionist “schemes” that will build a down-powering effect on solar and wind energy use and creation in California. The observation of the legislation is that it will not limit how much energy is imported.
That mean a trillion dollar economy state like Texas suddenly wields five handed power over California, because they are sitting on a treasure trove of methane, natural gas, wind, solar, and other green and alternative energy sources they can afford to export given their reserves of iron and coal resources.
But if the whole point to sustainable energy production is that it is local and low cost, how can importing “green” energy help? And why does wind and sun rich California need to import any energy?
California should be putting every investment dollar toward greening our flat plains and windy canyons to make sure we can pipe our own power. Sustainably.
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