Energy independence within most states’ grasp, report shows
A locally focused federal energy policy could help at least half of the 50 states achieve energy self-sufficiency, according to a new report from the Washington-based Institute for Local Self-Reliance (ILSR). The report, “Energy Self-Reliant States: Homegrown Renewable Power,” includes estimates of the amount of electricity and transportation fuels that can be generated by wind, solar energy and biomass facilities in each state.
Renewable energy is available everywhere in one form or another, ILSR Research Associate John Farrell said in a statement. “But, federal policy unaccountably supports centralized renewable power and provides incentives for heavy investments in a nationwide transmission infrastructure to get that energy to the final customer,” Farrell said. “That’s regrettable, because homegrown and locally owned renewable energy is almost always cheaper, especially when you factor in social, environmental and economic benefits.”
While the state-by-state fuel and energy generation estimates in “Energy Self-Reliant States” are conservative, ILSR Vice President David Morris said in a statement that “the dramatic conclusions [of the report] would lead to a major revision in key federal and state energy policies.”
View the entire report as a PDF. Or check out the ILSR’s New Rules project Web site.