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Politics : Politics of Energy
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To: Brumar89 who wrote (5887)3/10/2009 9:05:32 AM
From: RetiredNow  Read Replies (1) of 86355
 
Why would industries that use a lot of power decline over time if they can't use coal? That conclusion would be logical only if you assume that renewable energy will never be cheaper than coal power electricity prices. That's a very large assumption don't you think, especially since we've watched solar panel efficiencies double in the last 5 years, manufacturing processes get refined to bring costs down by 50% over the same period, and economies of scale starting to kick in that has brought prices of solar down even farther. In 5 years time, if the industry can keep up high growth rates to reach true scale, then solar will be cost competitive with coal, without subsidies. And that's just talking about solar. Other forms of renewables are experiencing similar rates of pricing declines.

I only make one assumption, based on an entire career spent in the technology world. That technology improvements and scale drive prices down relentlessly.

Ultimately, the truth of the matter is that any industry that uses a lot of power will find that abundant, cheap renewable energy here in the US will be a competitive advantage over relocating their operations over seas. In fact, it may very well provide them a counter-weight to our nation's disadvantages in our labor costs.

Open your eyes. It's already happening and it's an incredible opportunity for this country.
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