photo: green wombat
A coalition of western
utilities is studying the feasibility of constructing a solar power
plant in New Mexico that could generate up to 500 megawatts of green
electricity. The project is being managed by the Electric Power
Research Institute, a Palo Alto-based non-profit, and is being
supported by New Mexico utility PNM (PNM), Southern California Edison
(EIX), San Diego Gas & Electric (SRE), Xcel Energy (XEL) and
Tri-State Generation and Transmission. El Paso Electric (EE) may also
join the effort. The EPRI-led group will complete a study by the end of
2007 of various solar thermal technologies – which use the sun’s heat
to produce electricity – and then decide whether to proceed with the
design, permitting and construction of a solar power station.
Representatives from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and
Sandia National Laboratory Will participate as well as consultants from
energy company Nexant and engineering firm Black & Veatch. A few
large-scale solar thermal power station projects are already underway.
Southern California Edison and San Diego Gas & Electric have deals
with Stirling Energy Systems
to generate up to 1.75 gigawatts of electricity from its Stirling dish
system. Northern California utility PG&E (PCG), meanwhile, is
negotiating with BrightSource Energy to provide 500 megawatts from solar power tower stations.
Green Wombat 
Local, city, county, state and the federal governments should be first to “go green.” Politicians should not be elected to public office unless they agree to convert every government building and vehicle to renewable energy. There are at least three reasons why this should be so.
When all levels of government are taken into account, they control 40% of the economy. With that kind of economic incentive anyone who wants to sell to the government will hasten to meet the demands of its largest single buyer. Government will no longer have to pass laws to enforce cafe standards for instance. Rather the Government will simply tell auto companies, we want to replace our fleet of vehicles but will not buy anything that does get at least 50 mpg if it is gasoline based, or it must be a hybrid, or it must be fueled with renewable fuels.
Another reason Government should go green first is national security. Part of every oil dollar paid for Middle Eastern oil goes directly into the pocket of terrorists. If we convert to renewable fuels that we control, we defund terrorism and protect ourselves simultaneously.
Yet another reason to heed Al Gore’s clarion call on global warming is economic security. OPEC can not ruin our economy if we convert to renewable fuels that we control.
And finally, suppose Gore is right? When anyone hypes anything as much as AL Gore hypes global warming, I have my doubts. But I can’t see what is harmed by going green so why not? The military is doing some research on alternative and renewable energy. Whoever is the next president of the United States should institute a “Go Green or Go Home” policy for the military. Those who come up with energy saving devices or methods as well as those who implement alternative or renewable fuels should rise quickly through the ranks. Those who don’t should be encouraged to seek employment elsewhere. As resourceful as marines are, for instance, I would bet they could make surprising advances in fueling everything from jeeps to an entire base through alternative means if left to their own devices. The military has through it’s contractors developed the most effective weapons in the world. If this same level of effort is turned toward greening the military we will be a safer, more secure, and more independent nation. We will create new jobs and industries and the air and water will get cleaner as a benefit.