News
Feed-in Tariffs — what they are and why
they matter
8/9/09 — A comprehensive feed-in tariff program and
law could do as much as perhaps anything else to spur investment
in clean renewable power in California. FiTs have been hugely successful
in Europe and elsewhere. Why not California? Read Ray Pingle's article
in "Yodeler" to find out why they can work here too. (And
while you're at it, read other interesting articles about cleaning
up our energy systems.)
http://sanfranciscobay.sierraclub.org/yodeler/index.html.
See also Sierra Club California's outline of a comprehensive, integrated
feed-in tariff system for the state (PDFs):
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Why dirty liquefied natural gas isn't
the answer.
6/23/09 — Don't fall for industry hype about
how Liquid Natural Gas (LNG) imported from foreign despotisms
and shaky Third World kingdoms is a "bridge fuel"
to a better future. Or the hype about how building more natural
gas plants can wean us from dirty coal. Or how natural gas-fueled
vehicles are cleaner than electric cars.
All wrong. Check
out the facts here (PDF)
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Do we really need all those new high
tension power line? How much is enough? What should be the rules?
5/29/09 — Sierra Club's comments
(PDF) on a Northern California transmission proposal outline some
basic rules for deciding such facilities, including the "Garamendi
Principles", a loading order for possible new transmission.
We may not need as much as utilities say.
Carbon offsets — what are they, why are they dangerous?
5/4/09 — Current legislative thinking gives carbon
offsets a major role in allowing utilities and other polluters to
skirt the letter and spirit of new bills seeking to curb carbon
emissions.
What are the dangers of carbon offsets if they're not limited,
narrow and tightly controlled? Here's
what needs to be kept in mind (PDF).
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Electric cars and Plug-in Hybrids: the
new breed
3/09 — You may be surprised at the looming renaissance
of the electric car. We believe it's time to realize the substantial
advantages for greenhouse gas avoidance that electrification
of most modes of transportation has over competing alternative
fuels like natural gas and hydrogen. Read
what Sherry Boschert has to say (PDF).
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Can we live carbon-free and nuclear-free — and still live?
1/24/09 — What is the "Plan"? Wonder how
all the various pieces of a low-carbon energy economy can ever come
together in a credible roadmap? Wonder if we can have a zero carbon
and zero nuclear world and still live comfortably and prosperously?
The good news is, it can be done.
Check out modalities of the "Plan" at "Carbon Free,
Nuclear Free" http://www.ieer.org/carbonfree,
and Sierra Club California's Resolution
(PDF)
S. David Freeman, former Chairman of the Tennessee Valley Authority
and energy-efficiency pioneer, says about Carbon-Free and Nuclear-Free:
This Roadmap could liberate us from an energy policy that
is trashing our climate and our mountaintops, that is polluting
our land, sea, and air, that is trying to resurrect dangerous nuclear
power, and that has America so dependent on imported oil that our
foreign policy is the prisoner of oil.
What is Sierra Club California doing for cleaner energy?
1/14/09 — Here's a list
of what Sierra Club California did in 2008 (PDF). Check it out
-- you'll see lots of ways you can join us to make our advocacy
much stronger for more cuts in greenhouse gases and more push for
clean, renewable power sources.
CARB and AB 32 — a roadmap you can trust
11/19/08 — Here are Sierra Club California's comments
(PDF) on the Scoping Plan for AB 32 devised by California Air Resources
Board last year. Not all of Sierra Club's ideas made the final cut,
but they are displayed here for possible future advocacy.
Sierra Club's recommendations to reform California's
badly lagging Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) program
Updated 9/7/09
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