CFHD.org | Sustainable Economy | Renewable Energy Resources

U.S. State Mandates

The use of renewable energy resources has been mandated by different American states in the recognition that nuclear energy, non-renewable fossil fuels, and the mining of uranium, coal and petroleum are depleting the Earth of crucial minerals causing imbalances in the world's eco-systems, as well as disrupting the patterns of the weather. However, we have observed that mandate to be insufficient to stimulate local businesses to benefit from the millions of dollars available for the creation of new businesses in the alternative energy resource industry.

Target Dates

Whereas California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger in November 2008 ordered electric utility companies in the State of California to acquire 33% of their power from renewable resources by 2020, increasing the target goal from that set on January 1, 2007 at 20% by 2010, Arizona State legislature of 2006 only requires electric utilities to get 15% of their renewables by the year 2025. Notably, as of June, 2007, Arizona uses less than .05% renewable energy resource; all solar generated, with the use of wind making no appearance at all, demonstrating a lack of initiative by local businesses.

U.S. Department of Energy Gives $9 Million for Arizona

On Sept. 14, 2009, the U.S. Department of Energy announced that $9 million of the more than $354 million allotted for 22 states to fund "Green" energy projects, has been designated to Arizona to help meet the 2025 goal. Add that to the $550 million recently granted by the federal government to US renewable energy projects totaling $1.05 billion of the March economic stimulus package, and we can see a tangible shift in the prioritization of placing the U.S. on the "Green Grid". “These investments are crucial to ensuring America can compete and win in the race for the clean energy jobs of the future," says Energy Secretary Steven Chu.

German Venture Invests over $4 BILLION

Compare U.S. funding with the $4 billion that the private German company, Solar Millenium, has committed to solar projects in Nevada, California, and Arizona to be completed by 2014 and the fact that Arizona's largest renewable energy project to date, the Solana Generating Station outside Gila Bend, is to be built by Abengoa Solar, a Spanish owned company, that will then sell the power to the Arizona Public Service Co. to distribute. If European multi-nationals are investing billions knowing that there is profit to be made, then there is every reason why Arizona enterprises can benefit by getting involved.

Opportunity for Arizona Businesses

Arizona has clearly lagged in pioneering the protection of non-renewable resources and converting to cleaner, eco-friendly renewable energy sources. For a Green grid to be viable, the correct infrastructure for distribution and the maintenance of base loads in the wind and solar plants need to be organized and implemented. For example, with the advent of hundreds of thousands of new homes being built in the development of the newly released State lands opened up in Northern Arizona in the anticipation of the completion of the new Hoover Dam bypass, there has never been a better opportunity for sustainable and renewable power resulting in an upturn of the economy.

Help Build Arizona's Sustainable Economy

Join us in implementing renewable energy initiatives that will create jobs, preserve the Earth's natural resources, and create a better quality of living throughout Arizona and across the nation. Build tomorrow's sustainable economy today. Contact the Learning Center for Human Development to become a part of one of the world's most dynamic networks of the greatest resource of all, human intelligence.

Click here to go to the Home Page.