When Locals Push Back Against Green Projects
When locals push back on green projects, everyone suffers (photo courtsey of Sam Beebe/Ecotrust on Flickr)
Despite the infusion of new jobs into the economy and the promise of foreign oil independence, not everyone is for renewable energy. In fact, when locals push back against green projects, there are a number of reasons cited for doing so.
What can you do when you are in favor of new energy sources, but looking at a sea of opposition? Read on to learn how to support renewable energy projects.
The Wall Street Journal reported in March this year about the phenomenon of local resistance to a variety of projects, from wind farms to biofuel, and everything in between:
“A new U.S. Chamber of Commerce Web site launched Friday catalogues 62 wind, wave, solar and biofuel projects and 15 high-voltage transmission proposals across 25 states that have faced significant local opposition, often enough to shut them down entirely. It also documents how 18 natural gas projects, 17 nuclear power plans and around 175 coal plants encountered local antagonism.”
For example, check out this video of fishermen opposed to the Cape Wind project in Massachusetts:
So what, exactly, is going on here? Some environmental groups say that they do not want to allow the federal government the power to “clear the path” for renewable energy projects. Said Carl Pope, the executive director of the Sierra Club:
“It is possible to put a good thing in the wrong place. But [local opposition] is a real issue and we need to plan a rational, national location and transmission strategy for renewables, and that won’t be universally applauded.”
What this means to you is quite simple. As we have blogged before, local renewable energy developers need your help. They need support at local hearings. You can write letters to the editor. Its time to use any social networking avenues to build a base of backers – from Twitter to Facebook, YouTube and beyond.
Why don’t we make 2009-2010 the year of the local Renewable Energy support team? There is no reason why grassroots efforts cannot grab headlines as often as the press about locals pushing back against green projects.
Find out what is going on in your hometown. Devote 1-2 hours a week (more if you can) to seeing it through. These are the principles on which Build Baby Build was founded. You can carry the torch!
Why not let us know what is happening in your neck of the woods. We’d love to help you with renewable energy support!
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“When locals push back on green projects, everyone suffers.”
That’s a crock of shit. Just because a project is green doesn’t mean it’s always a good project, or a good idea. And many, many times, the costs involved (both short and long term) in a green project, far outweigh the benifits.
I guess you are only thinking about monetary costs and benefits, then, and not the long-term effects of global climate change. Many of the arguments about view impacts, alleged habitat disruption, etc. pale in comparison to the results of doing nothing and continuing our fossil fuel use to the entire planet’s detriment.
I guess the point with the post is not necesarily to argue that all green projects are good projects but that it’s important to show your support if you’re a proponent. It’s common knowledge opponents are more loud and visible in these situations which may give the decision-makers the image of a negative majority.
Conclusion: If you’re happy and you know it clap your hands!