Tesla's Solar Roofs

The video above is the announcement of Tesla's Powerwall 2 and Solar Roofs. Tesla came out with the original Powerwall a few years ago. This is a battery that can store electricity for later use when energy production is low. This is a big step in the sustainable energy movement, as many sustainable energy sources fluctuate throughout the day. Their new model can hold more electricity. It holds enough power in one of these batteries to power a four bedroom house for an entire day. The Powerwall 2 is made to work with their new Solar Roofs.

Solar Roofs make it possible for people to produce their own electricity. These roofs are made of tiles that are individual solar panels. This makes it possible to generate sustainable electricity while maintaining a sleek, beautiful home. They made four different styles of these tiles based on individual style preferences. Used with the Powerwall 2, individual homes can cut off their reliance on the electrical grid, and reduce their impact on the planet.

Source: tesla.com

Tesla has said that these Solar Roofs would not cost much more than a typical roof would cost at an average-sized home. Of course, one would have to add the price of the Powerwall into their budget if they wanted to stop relying on the grid. However, there are also significant tax breaks for people who install solar panels on their home. So, this option may not be completely out of the question for people who need to install a new roof on their home anyways.

Elon Musk has said that driving an electric vehicle, producing your own sustainable energy, and having an energy storage system is the goal for living an emission-free lifestyle. Hopefully in the future these products will be more accessible for the general public, and people can start living comfortably in ways that do not hurt the environment like they do currently.

References: Tesla. “Tesla Unveils Powerwall 2 & Solar Roof” YouTube, hosted by Elon Musk, 28 October 2016, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4sfwDyiPTdU.

Oppose the Repeal of the Clean Power Plan

Source: lawandenvironment.com

Link: Tell the EPA to Stand Up for Our Communities NOT Polluters

The link above takes you to the Union of Concerned Scientists website to send a letter to Environmental Protection Agency administrator, Scott Pruitt, telling him that you oppose the repeal of the Clean Power Plan. The Trump Administration has been known to favor rollback of big government regulations. 

The Clean Power Plan was enacted during the Obama administration to reduce the nation's reliance on fossil fuels for its energy production. The plan was to reduce carbon emissions by 32 percent by the year 2030. This law was also created to convince other countries to  the Paris Climate Agreement, in which 195 parties from different countries agreed to change their actions to try to keep global Climate Change under a 2 degrees Celsius increase, after which the effects of anthropocentric Climate Change would be heightened.

Besides the U.S.' reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, the plan would help to decrease air pollution and also have a positive impact on human health. Asthma attacks and asthma related deaths would decrease. Energy costs were also expected to be reduced in the long-term for the average American family. 

Source: cnn.com

Pruitt, who rejects the scientific consensus that Climate Change is occurring and that human activities are the main cause of it, plans to repeal the Clean Power Plan to allow the fossil fuel industry to continue to profit without acknowledging the effects that they have on Climate Change. It is also important to note that energy companies have contributed significant amounts of money to Pruitt's campaign for Attorney General. 

The deadline to tell the EPA how you feel about this issue is April 26th, 2018!

References: “Tell the EPA to Stand Up for Our Communities NOT Polluters.” Union of Concerned Scientists, secure.ucsusa.org/onlineactions/R-CpPggzLECfqvJ_qDY3kQ2?_ga=2.264867087.1229071010.1518984288-737608975.1518984288.

“The Clean Power Plan: A Climate Game Changer.” Union of Concerned Scientists, www.ucsusa.org/our-work/global-warming/reduce-emissions/what-is-the-clean-power-plan#.Wont34PwbIU.

Also Interesting: Guillen, Alex, and Esther Whieldon. “Energy Executives, Secretive Nonprofit Raise Money to Back Pruitt.” Politico, 6 Jan. 2017, www.politico.com/story/2017/01/scott-pruitt-epa-nonprofit-backers-233306.

The Unfortunate Failure of Cape Wind

Source: windpower.org

Link: What Was Once Hailed as First U.S. Offshore Wind Farm Is No More

The link above explains the downfall of the proposed Cape Wind project, which was to be the first offshore wind farm in America. The project was to supply electricity to power Nantucket, Martha’s Vineyard and Cape Cod. The proposal, started in 2001, called for as many as 130 wind turbines on Nantucket Sound. This could have produced enough electricity for 200,000 homes in the area. If passed, this project would have jump-started large-scale sustainable energy in the United States.

Source: bloomberg.com

Although Cape Wind would have reduced the area's fossil fuel emissions, it faced enormous amounts of backlash from residents of the area. People claimed that it ruined views of the coast in the highly tourist-driven area, and would also hurt the fishing industry. It also faced criticism from the powerful Kennedy family, who have homes in the area and did not want their picturesque vacation spot to be ruined. The project was delayed due to several lawsuits, and companies pulled their power-purchase agreements in 2015. This ended the push for the project.

Since the failure of Cape Wind, the first offshore wind farm has been built in Rhode Island. Although it is much smaller than the proposed one, this is still a great start for the sustainable energy movement in America. A few things can be taken away from this situation. First, that developers should consider building out of range of the coast if possible. It can also be learned that if we want to start using more sustainable energy in this country, people need to stop the mentality, "not in my backyard." We cannot push for renewable energy, and then change our minds if the opportunity arises for it to become possible in our area. There has to a compromise between environmental and aesthetic values. 

References: Eckhouse, Brian, and Joe Ryan. “What Was Once Hailed as First U.S. Offshore Wind Farm Is No More.” Bloomberg.com, Bloomberg, 1 Dec. 2017.

Affordable Electric Cars

Source: Hyundai Motor America

https://cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/cheapest-electric-cars

The link above takes you to a website that explores the most affordable electric cars of today. In the past, it was extremely unreasonable for the average American to even consider getting an electric vehicle. But as sustainable energy becomes more popular, electric vehicles have been getting more affordable. The different brands include Ford, Hyundai, Volkswagen, Nissan, Honda, and more. Electric vehicles are a great idea for people who do not have to drive very long distances and who have a little room in their budget for raised energy costs (if they charge their car at home).

These vehicles are great options for people who really want to reduce their carbon footprint. Although the cars themselves are not run on the burning of fossil fuels, the electricity that is used to charge these vehicles is most likely still produced by the burning of fossil fuels. This is a huge step in the right direction for the renewable energy movement. However, until we stop relying on fossil fuels as our main source of electricity, these vehicles are still dependent on nonrenewable sources for the time being.

References: Vincent, John M. “9 Cheapest Electric Cars.” U.S. News & World Report Best Cars, U.S. News & World Report, 15 Dec. 2017.