Your editorial of Oct. 23 states: “Solar energy is an economic boon. PG&E has … agreed to buy the energy produced in California Valley.” PG&E has agreed to buy the energy produced because the state has mandated electric utilities to get one-third of their power from non-fossil fuel sources by 2020. The cost to PG&E and ultimately consumers is not mentioned.
The cost per kilowatt-hour for electricity as follows: Natural gas, 6.4 cents; photovoltaic 15 cents. Ultimately, the electricity generated by the solar plant must be paid for by the consumers. Many businesses, especially those that require large amounts of electricity, will move out of the state or will not move in. A net loss of jobs. Those businesses cannot produce their product here and sell it in competition with businesses where electricity is less expensive. This will ultimately mean jobs lost in the state with no reduction in man-produced CO2.
It is a global problem. If China, India and other countries do not reduce their CO2 emissions, California’s mandatory “green” energy will have adverse affects to California residents with a negligible effect on the climate.
William H. McKenzie
Atascadero
Following up on the hints in Bill McKibben’s remarks (Nov. 1), permit me to offer a prediction. Following on the heels of government-enforced mandatory health insurance, the next proposed “environmental enhancement” will be a law that all new homes and buildings be required to have roofs built with solar panels.
The legal “rationale” for this mandate will be, like the health care law, the Interstate Commerce Clause, since at least some of the building materials will have crossed state lines. And there will be a severe penalty fine for violations. The justification will be the alleged “reduced demand for carbon-generated electricity” and “benefit for the environment.”
Far-fetched? Perhaps, but I’ll bet not in the eyes of the current Department of Energy, nor even in the minds of the government-subsidized solar industry.
William Weber
Arroyo Grande
SanLuisObispo.com is happy to provide a forum for reader interaction, discussion, feedback and reaction to our stories. However, we reserve the right to delete inappropriate comments or ban users who can't play nice. See our full terms of service here.
Here are some rules of the road:
You should also know that The Tribune does not screen comments before they are posted. You are more likely to see inappropriate comments before our staff does, so we ask that you click the "report abuse" button to submit those comments for moderator review. You also may notify us via email at webmaster@thetribunenews.com. Note the headline on which the comment is made and tell us the profile name of the user who made the comment. Remember, comment moderation is subjective. You may find some material objectionable that we won't and vice versa.
If you submit a comment, the username of your account will appear along with it. Users cannot remove their own comments once they have submitted them, but you may ask our staff to retract one of your comments by sending an email to webmaster@thetribunenews.com. Again, make sure you note the headline on which the comment is made and tell us your profile name.
Be the first to know what's going on in San Luis Obispo County. Just tell us how you want to find out — we'll take care of the rest.
Sign up for breaking news alerts from SanLuisObispo.com and get the latest news sent to your cell phone via text message.
By signing up for alerts from this site, you are signing up for a program that may include up to 5 SMS text alert(s) per alert category per day. There is no service fee charged per month but your carrier's standard text messaging and other charges may apply. You may stop this subscription service at any time by sending the text message "STOP" to 72737. You must be at least thirteen (13) years of age to use our alert services. If you are between 13 and 17 years old, you agree that you have received parental permission both to complete the registration process and to receive SMS content on your cell phone. For help, send the text message "HELP" to 72737. This service will work with ATT, Verizon, Sprint, Nextel, Alltell, US Cellular, Cincinnati Bell, Boost, Virgin Mobile USA, Celluar South, Telos, Centennial, East Kentucky Network, Cellcom, Immix and Rural Celluar.
E-mail »
Twitter »
Facebook »
iTribune »
Subscribe »
RSS »
About comments
Reader comments on SanLuisObispo.com are the opinions of the writer, not The Tribune. If you see an objectionable comment, click the "report abuse" button below it. We will delete comments containing inappropriate links, obscenities, hate speech, and personal attacks. Flagrant or repeat violators will be banned. See more about comments here.