08/22/2006: "Require then Refuse!"

The stampede to support I-937 reminds me of a Wal-Mart holiday sale. Like the people rushing to get bargains, liberal and environmental groups are climbing over each other to be the first to show their support. Why?

If passed into law I-937 would require public utilities to generate 15% of their electricity from renewable sources like tides, wind and solar. I predict that I-937 will pass by a landslide.

Renewable energy is an excellent idea. It would mean a cleaner environment, less dependence on foreign oil, support of new breakthrough technologies, increased conservation, and a stronger economy. Who could possibly be against it?

Unfortunately, good ideas often meet head on with fierce opposition from the same groups that promote them in the first place. Many wind turbine, tidal generation, and solar projects have been scrapped because of costly efforts to overcome the objections of environmental groups who use litigation and require endless studies designed to bankrupt proponents. There is a habitual pattern by these "save everything" groups to force compliance to their "feel good" laws and then work to deny the very permission required to comply with them.

By a show of hands here, how many readers believe that a power company will ever be granted the permits necessary to produce one watt of tidal energy in San Juan County? Nobody? Just raise your hand if you think there is a remote possibility. No one?

What about a wind farm on one of the ridges along our windward shoreline? How about clearing some trees for a big solar panel array? Get those hands up. No one?

That's right, these projects have about a snowballs chance in August to ever see the light of day in our Islands. We all want clean power somewhere else.

Harnessing the enormous potential energy from the tides that run constantly through these islands is the most recent example. The same groups that vocally support I-937 are gearing up to fight any effort to build a project here.

There may be good reasons to oppose underwater electrical generators. No one wants to harm the environment. But either we should get serious about renewable energy and work toward solutions for the greater good or shut-up. It's time to end the phony "greener than thou" hypocrisy.