I spent over 20 years working with wind and other forms of renewable energy and I know the great potential that clean energy offers to help improve our environment and our economy. That’s why I was so glad to be at the dedication last Friday of the brand new solar farm at the South San Joaquin Irrigation District’s DeGroot Water Treatment Plant. The solar installation will power the water treatment plant, which helps provide drinking water to Manteca, Tracy and Lathrop.
You can reach the Manteca Bulletin’s write up of the event here.
That's just one exciting report of how our region is moving quickly to adopt smarter renewable energy practices. There are many more, including:
Last week's Sacramento Bee story of Del Oro High School in Loomis, which is set to produce nearly 40 percent of its energy through use of rooftop solar panels.
June 12's report on BART's announcement of its plans to fuel the Orinda station using solar panels as well, built atop carports. Not only will these carports provide electricity to run the station, they will also provide shade for 25 or more cars!
March's coverage of Diane and John Scrempos' big first: they became the first to own a residential windmill that connects to PG&E's power grid in Santa Clara County.
There is more to be done, of course, and economists estimate that hundreds of thousands of new, clean energy jobs will be created in the United States in the next few years – with our region at the forefront. Being the leader in this exciting field will mean tremendous “green-collar” job growth right here at home – jobs that pay a family wage and cannot be exported.
Innovations like these are only possible with support from local, state, and federal governments.
Since arriving in Washington, I pushed to renew a series of tax credits that encourage the use and production of wind, solar, geothermal, biomass and other types of renewable energy. With my career in wind energy, I know firsthand how critical production and investment tax credits have been in spurring renewable energy use and production. These tax credits helped turn a once fledgling portion of the energy sector into a major player. In fact, the massive renewable energy job growth that has been forecast will not take place without the extension of the credits. Fortunately, with my efforts and those of many others, the House of Representatives passed several different pieces of legislation to extend the credits, meaning the clean energy sector will continue to grow.
I will continue to work for smarter renewable energy policies that will ensure more renewable energy use and production, not just here in Northern California, but nationwide.
The report identified stations across New Jersey that charged consumers different prices than those advertised, short-changed consumers by not keeping their gas pumps in proper working order resulting in consumers being charged for a full gallon when often they received less, and failed to provide correct octane ratings.
Kudos to the Kiwanis Club of San Ramon Valley for hosting what looked like the best Danville Fourth of July Parade ever!
