California to Get Two Solar Plants

-Rianna Das

California is going to get two solar plants and they are going to be on U.S. federal land. These projects represent an strong step in moving toward renewable energy. Also a California state mandate requires the utilities to generate one third of the power they sell from the sun, wind, and other renewable sources. This is part of California's 2006 law that aims to lower greenhouse gas emissions. (http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703843804575534392249151072.html?mod=WSJ_Energy_leftHeadlines).

Once again, this article demonstrates the trend/need for companies to develop alternative types of energy or educate the population of sustainable energy use. Whether or not you believe peak oil is a myth, most people can agree that pollution is bad for the environment and can negatively impact human life. While these new types of alternative energy can be used as replacements for oil, they are also more environmentally friendly, as they can lower greenhouse gases. This is seen in the article because the California government is mandating that one third of energy sold is from renewable sources and using this practice as a way to lower greenhouse gas emissions. This law also shows that regulation of the industry is not always a bad thing. While regulation such as this is costing companies money to find renewable energy sources, it is also decreasing these companies impact on the environment.

Personally, I find California's law very beneficial. Not only does it seem to be effective in lower greenhouse gas emissions, it also encourages and demonstrates to other states that regulation of the industry can be effective. Although many energy companies are making plenty of profit of non renewable sources of energy, the new market for renewable types of energy allows them to expand their market and possibly even make more profit while supporting the environment.

It seems like every week I find an article dealing with renewable energy. I believe this shows how important this new trend is. There is an energy crisis, whether we chose to acknowledge it or not, and it will affect our lives. By developing renewable sources of energy and correctly marketing them to the population, business will not only succeed in increasing profit, but also lessen the negative effects of this energy crisis.