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September/October 2008 Issue

Solar Voter’s Guide for 2008


By David Hill

During the upcoming election campaign, energy policy will have a higher profile in public debate than at any time since the founding of our country. We will advocate the complete and sustained development of renewable and energy efficiency resources and technologies. Others will promote expanded nuclear power, clean coal technologies and increased domestic production of fossil fuels.

For the renewable energy community, the magnitude of this opportunity is enormous. In poll after poll, the American public has expressed the desire for a sustainable energy future based on renewable resources and efficiency. This fall’s election is an opportunity to vote for that future. Strong mandates for action can be created through clear and thorough discussion of the issues.

The opportunity arises out of the public recognition that our society is at risk. Thoughtful people understand that the environment, the economy and our national security establishment have lost much of their ability to buffer crisis. The deeply-expressed desire for political change acknowledges that we can no longer afford to do business as usual. It’s time to shift political power away from entrenched energy industries, and to move beyond corporate green-washed band-aid solutions. This year’s election must establish new foundations, new mechanisms and new thinking.      

The American Solar Energy Society (ASES) welcomes the debate. We are eager to be catalysts and participants. We plan to ask the right questions. Along those lines, here are nine questions that ASES members should ask, and that every candidate, at any level of government, should be prepared to answer: 

  1. How do your record and platform demonstrate the importance you place on energy security and greenhouse gas reduction? 
  2. How will you gain non-partisan, broad and deep support for sustainable energy solutions to these issues?
  3. How will you promote training and hiring for green jobs? Please provide specific examples of how traditional manufacturing, and other sectors of the economy, will benefit.
  4. How will you grow the green energy economy so as to distribute the benefits equitably among flourishing small businesses, the underemployed and a growing pool of skilled labor?  Please be specific about how the benefits will reach low and moderate income families and communities.
  5. What specific strategies you will employ to make resources and funding available to individuals and communities, so that they can invest in energy projects that will reduce greenhouse gases and save them money in both the near term and the long run?
  6. How can the United States regain a worldwide leadership position in climate and energy issues? What strategies can the United States pursue to promote sustainable energy and reduce destruction of environments around the world?
  7. Are you willing to establish and fulfill commitments for reductions in greenhouse gases to a level of 400 parts per million or less, with binding targets established for 2015, 2030 and 2050?
  8. Are you willing to propose an end to the construction of all new coal-fired electric power plants that do not have effective carbon capture and sequestration?
  9. Do you plan to participate in the 2008 ASES National Solar Tour on Oct. 4?

These are offered as a start. Check out the energy and environment positions of the candidates at their websites (shown below). Search national, state and local candidates by zip code at Project Vote Smart (votesmart.org) for voting records, campaign finances and more. If you’re in a position to publish an op-ed piece in the local paper, or even a letter to the editor, please consider incorporating these questions. Use them at a candidate forum. Sharpen them up to deal with specific issues in local elections — for instance, ask why your state doesn’t yet have a renewable energy portfolio standard.

In any way you can, please contribute to the debate this fall. If you are interested in sharing ideas or other suggested questions with other ASES members you can post comments and questions at ases.org or solartoday.org/blog.

Meanwhile, ASES is active, committed and engaged as a source of analysis and policy solutions — for voters, candidates and policy makers. In a piece titled “Leadership: The Time is Right Now” (SOLAR TODAY, July/August 2008) ASES Executive Director Brad Collins reviewed highlights of the advocacy, policy, and research undertaken by the Society and its members during the past several years. Building upon these accomplishments, and drawing upon the “best of the best” from a broad range of sources, the ASES policy committee has prepared a policy action plan for the 111th Congress and the incoming administration. ASES will work hard to broadly distribute the action plan, with a special focus on key committees and elected officials, striving to take full advantage of the historic opportunity and challenges presented by this year’s elections and the debate on our energy future.  

David Hill ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) is chair of the ASES policy committee.

Where To Find Candidate Positions


Project Vote Smart: votesmart.org
John McCain: tinyurl.com/5v8jh2
Barack Obama: barackobama.com/issues/energy

Other Websites for Renewable Energy Advocates
Republicans for Environmental Protection: rep.org
Act Blue, Energy Smart: actblue.com/page/energysmart
League of Conservation Voters National Environmental Scorecard: lcv.org/scorecard
 

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July/August 2010
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