Scotland Got Half of Its Power From Renewables in 2014

[SeaBreeze]

US making changes slowly but surely

Third city in the US to use renewable energy.

 

[oldman]

Wind farms are everywhere here and as far as I've seen, many in very isolated areas - of which we have many.

The Tory government in London want to end the startup subsidies to Scotland a year early! Thanks Cameron.

As for Rupert, we won't subscribe to Sky TV here because he owns it and we won't put a penny I his pocket.

You may have already put many pennies in his enormous pockets without even knowing it. Murdoch has many, many holdings. It may be difficult to totally miss something that he doesn't either own or have money invested in. I heard him speak at an investment forum for entrepreneurs about 10 years ago. He came across as a very intelligent man when speaking about investing and what industries makes the most sense to invest in. He was not political at all during the forum, although a few attendees from the audience tried to lure him into a political debate, he was able to walk around them.

 

[Ameriscot]

You may have already put many pennies in his enormous pockets without even knowing it. Murdoch has many, many holdings. It may be difficult to totally miss something that he doesn't either own or have money invested in. I heard him speak at an investment forum for entrepreneurs about 10 years ago. He came across as a very intelligent man when speaking about investing and what industries makes the most sense to invest in. He was not political at all during the forum, although a few attendees from the audience tried to lure him into a political debate, he was able to walk around them.

I'm sure I have. But it was the phone hacking hearings when we decided no more money to him. During the hearings he was so obviously lying about what he knew or didn't know.

 

[oldman]

Most politicians, or any people in power for that matter will do whatever is necessary to protect or hide their dirty laundry. It's not a new concept. Believe me, it has been used by many.

 

[BobF]

Current Wind Turbines, with their massive blades, are a noisy and inefficient way to produce electricity. However, there are several prototypes of wind turbines currently in test that resolve most of the current problems, and increase the output of these turbines. Within the next few years, new designs will be available that increase the output of wind generated electricity, AND eliminate the problems.
Solar is also on the brink of becoming the major producer of electricity. Solar prices are coming down substantially, and if battery technology can be improved...hopefully by research such as that being done by Tesla...it may not be many more years before solar power becomes economically feasible for individual homeowners.

Presently, the biggest hurdle that has to be overcome is the powerful influence the fossil fuel industry has on our government. These corporations can see the beginning of their demise, and they will fight Clean Energy projects at every opportunity. If they were smart, they would be taking some of their massive profits and begin investing in clean energy, themselves. It will take some time to transition away from fossil fuels for transportation purposes, but for electrical generation purposes, wind and solar could very easily supply the vast majority of the nations needs within another decade, or two.

The coal industry had been trying to prove they could build 'dirt' free coal processes and had one plant ready for testing in Indiana when Obama became President and locked down that plant. It is a real shame to lock down alternative tests and demand we use unproven and still unproven solar and wind technologies. Someday their may be improved and reliable solar or wind generated operations. How many of our power companies will remain in business if only to back up unreliable solar or wind. It does not sound like a good business operation.

 

[Don M.]

Americans have become "spoiled" by cheap and reliable electric energy...due to major investments by our current power companies. To label these companies as "evil" is rather short sighted. I'm sure that these companies are well aware of the environmental concerns and are working hard to resolve such issues. Rather than shutting these current power plants down, our government should be helping these providers accelerate their plans for cleaner power production. Alternative energy sources will probably be the mainstay in the future, but the transition should be made in a careful, and orderly manner.

Europe is trying to transition quickly to alternative energy sources...in the wake of the Fukushima disaster, and their electricity rates are climbing...with some areas paying as much as 28 cents per KWH....and an average of over 20 cents/KWH across Europe. Here, the national average is in the 12 cents/KWH range....we pay 8.2 cents/KWH. If everyone's electric bills rose by 75%, even the politicians in Washington would have to listen to the howling.