The Unusual Alliance Between Conservatives and Clean Energy

It's no secret that many conservatives do not believe in anthropogenic climate change, meaning caused by humans. They view solar as an unnecessary cost with no real gain. They also view it as a path to more big government, something most conservatives protest against. However recently in the Peach State of Georgia, the tables have turned. On July 11, 2013 Public Service Commission voted 4-1 to require Georgia Power to increase the use of solar energy by 525 mw with a 2016 deadline. It's no surprise that GP doesn't like that ruling. Power companies have a hard time allowing residents to add energy to the grid. The state already produces 25% of it's energy from clean sources. According to reports, the Republican state senator Buddy Carter was heading up this fight and has been pulling unlikely candidates with him, The Tea Party being some of his heftiest supporters. Carter has been ranked the #1 Senator on the State of Georgia's Tea Party website. 

In 1973, a Georgia law passed prohibiting homeowners and businesses from leasing solar panels for their property. They were allowed to own them but if they were caught leasing solar panels, they were served with cease and desist letters. That's where the conservatives stepped in. 
“I believe we need to do everything we can to encourage renewable resources,” Buddy Carter, who describes himself as a conservative voice for low taxes and limited government, was quoted as saying, “But I see it more as a private rights issue. I don’t like the government telling you what you can or cannot do with your property.” 

We also see many conservatives gravitating toward the prospect of job creation. One windmill farm in Texas recently employed over 300 workers to erect the huge structures. Farmers love the extra money that can come from leasing their property all while helping to save the Earth....whether or not they believe it needs saving. 

I think we need more conservative innovators coming into the clean energy sector. Many of their values coincide with what environmentalists are trying to do. Fiscal responsibility, community leadership, reducing land waste. If we can continue to get these laws passed with the help of both political parties, the sky will be the limit with regard to renewable energy. 

We are the little engine that could....The more people on the train, the more momentum we're going to produce, and then maybe we'll finally start to get somewhere.