SUMMARY REPORT

Global Possibilities' U.S. Solar and Renewable Energy Policy Symposium "The Back Burner Status of Solar" - May, 1997

Introduction

List of Participants

I. Renewable Energy Policy:
State and federal government must design and implement energy policies that address the far-reaching economic, health, and environmental benefits of renewable energy. This can only be achieved and effective with the guidance of an educated and active consumer public. The two must work in synergy! An example is to require industry, monitored by government and the public, to reduce carbon emissions.

II. The Renewable Energy Market
Buy renewable energy! A reliable and expanding market will lead to a decrease in technology costs. Fossil fuel dependent America should follow European and Japanese counterparts who are the leaders in the renewable energy market.

III. Institutional Barriers of the Renewable Energy Market:
The renewable energy market requires input from government, consumers, electricity generation companies, etc., to extend beyond just energy supply to address the broader scope of land use, responsible architecture, transportation systems, and the full life-cycle cost of renewable technologies.

IV. Corporate Epiphanies:
We are witnessing CEOs and company investors who no longer adhere to the thinking of "only profits matter."Many are integrating responsible environmental and social components into their definition of "successful business."

V. The Effects of Deregulation on Electricity Companies and Renewable Energy:
During the four year deregulation transition period into an open energy market, public and private utilities will be competing for your business. Consumers must make responsible choices and demand full disclosure of energy fuel mix.

VI. Marketing Renewable Energy:
Renewable energy needs to be seen not as an alternative energy supply, but as a qualitatively superior choice now and for future generations. Financing companies should help cover the initial investment for renewable energy technologies knowing the long term cost benefits, and developers should include these technologies in their construction package as a component of "good business."

VII. The Insurance Industry Meets Climate Change:
The insurance companies recognize their industry is at risk due to an increased demand for higher coverage which would occur in the event of blackouts and natural disasters triggered by global warming. Increased use of renewables will reduce carbon emissions leading to global warming and provide a constant energy source in natural catastrophes.

VIII. Education - Getting the Public Involved in Utilizing Renewables:
Twenty years ago, during the Carter administration, there was a real push for Americans to use solar energy. Today we are still working to promote renewables and illustrate to the public that this technology is less complicated to understand than nuclear, coal, or fossil fuel energy, and the benefits are long lasting for our natural environment, health, and quality of life. Government, the renewable energy industry, electricity generation companies, industry, environmental groups, oil companies, and consumers need to speak a similar language about the positive effects of renewables on the state of our world.

IX. Practical Applications of Renewables:
Renewable energy is not an eccentric or "alternative" form of energy. In fact, renewables have many more advantages than traditional forms of energy which include providing a constant source of clean energy in blackouts and natural disasters, and being an economic benefit to rural economies.