Solar Energy in State of the Union Speech

Last Tuesday President Obama focused on Solar energy during his state of the union speech. He was quoted as saying, “So instead of subsidizing yesterday’s energy, let’s invest in tomorrow’s.” What exactly do you think he meant by that, and what do you think he has in store for the solar industry during his time left in office?

For about 100 years all fossil fuels have been subsidized by investment credits, special depreciation rules, low to moderate leasing costs for Federal Land, etc.

I believe the President was saying that the public has subsidized fossil fuels long enough. If the money that fossil fuels and the other special considerations fossil fuels are given was devoted to renewable energy, the USA could achieve the benefits that are going to be needed in the 21st century to keep the USA competitive. These benefits include: Jobs, reduced dependence on foreign energy imports, reduced green house gas emissions, cleaner air, less disease and a more sustainable nation.

While this is a great plan for moving the USA forward, the amount of money that the Oil, Gas and Coal industries pump into Washington is enormous to make sure that these financial benefits do not expire.

If this same money were invested in the USA, we could setup incentives for manufacturing jobs for alternatives, jobs to install the products produced and all those jobs would result in tax payers paying into the federal government to strengthen our financial position.