Do We Have an Energy Plan?
I had the pleasure the other day to join a small group of Vermont leaders in a breakfast meeting with the Danish Ambassador to the U.S. Denmark is a fascinating country that has been able to accomplish energy independence (along with free universal health care and free post-secondary education). Denmark has a population of only 5.5 million people, so instituting country-wide initiatives is much less daunting than for the U.S., but it’s an interesting model for us to consider.
During the oil embargo in the 1970s Denmark imported nearly 90% of its energy resources. They made a commitment at the time to reduce their consumption and exploit their own oil reserves in the North Sea to gain energy independence. They are a net-exporter of energy today. They’ve achieved this through a number of factors, including fully exploiting wind power and conservation. Public transit is the norm, as they have placed such a high tax on gasoline that a gallon of gas costs more than $10.00! In fact, almost 40% of Copenhagen residents bike to work or school every day. Denmark, through their elected officials, has made many of the hard choices that face the U.S. I wonder if we are prepared to face these same questions and make the hard decisions, including consumer taxes to force necessary behavioral changes.
In one small step toward a more sustainable energy future, 29 governors have called for a national standard for renewable power. Citing a report prepared by the bipartisan Governors' Wind Energy Coalition, delivered to President Obama and Congress earlier this week, the governors seek a consistent national set of standards and regulations that will encourage investments to remain in the U.S. They also recommend that utilities be required to obtain at least 10% of their electricity from renewables such as wind and solar by 2012. The report also calls for more funding of research, streamlined permitting, and stimulus grants to help spur on alternative energy production. I’ve stated frequently that one of the best legacies we could leave to our children and grandchildren is energy independence. Let’s see if we’re ready to take that first small step.
