fact check

Claim: Wind energy can’t provide enough power to keep the lights on and will always remain a niche industry that the private sector has no interest in.

Fact: Wind is already powering millions of homes around the U.S., providing thousands of American manufacturing jobs and continuing to attract private investors – all while becoming the largest source of new power in 2012. Click here to get the facts.

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Claim: Fisker Automotive, Solyndra and other struggling green energy companies backed by Department of Energy loans are evidence that the government wastes money trying to pick “winners.”

Fact: The DOE loan guarantee program is an overwhelmingly successful program that played a critical role in the development of new renewable energy technologies by offering long-term capital when private financing was not available. Click here to get the facts.

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Claim: With cheap, abundant natural gas and coal, expensive renewables are unnecessary. Utilities should stick with these fuels instead of having to deploy new, more expensive renewable resources.

Fact: Natural gas costs have a history of high volatility while renewable prices are continuing to decrease, allowing for long-term pricing. The prices of renewable energy resources are already starting to beat coal prices and utilities are trading coal for renewables across the country. Click here to get the facts.

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Claim: Renewable energy subsidies prop up an otherwise economically-unviable industry. We should “level the playing field” by removing clean energy handouts and let renewables compete with fossil fuels.

Fact: All energy production in the U.S. receives significant federal support, dating back to the first oil subsidies in early 20th century. Click here to get the facts.

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Claim: The environmental benefits of renewable energy are wildly overstated.

Fact: Renewable energy technologies are by far the cleanest source of power on the planet, even accounting for environmental impact costs. As more renewables power the grid, our energy supply becomes less polluting and everyone benefits. Click here to get the facts.

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Claim: Renewable energy only represents a tiny bit of our power supply and will never be able to meet America’s power needs. Renewables will always be a fringe technology, only powering a handful of cars and off-the-grid homes.

Fact: Renewable energy is already a mainstream industry that is powering millions of American homes and businesses while employing thousands of workers. Many renewable sectors are experiencing unprecedented growth and continue to lower costs for consumers. Click here to get the facts.

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Claim: State Renewable Portfolio Standards are job-killing government mandates that offer no economic benefits and cause skyrocketing electricity rates.

Fact: State RPS policies are currently driving over 1/3rd of new renewable energy development across America in a cost-competitive manner that protects American consumers. Repealing these policies will risk billions in private investment and threatens hundreds of thousands jobs in 29 states plus the District of Columbia. Click here to get the facts.

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Claim: Biofuels are too expensive for military use, bad for cars and will never be produced in large enough quantities for consumer use. The Renewable Fuel Standard encourages the use of food for fuel and should be ended.

Fact: Biofuels are too expensive for military use, bad for cars and will never be produced in large enough quantities for consumer use. The Renewable Fuel Standard encourages the use of food for fuel and should be ended. . Click here to get the facts.

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Claim: Renewable energy is unreliable and must be continually backed up by fossil fuels for times when the wind doesn’t blow and the sun doesn’t shine.

Fact: Renewable energy is more than capable of providing steady, reliable electricity for consumers in a variety of scenarios. As storage technology advances, any remaining challenges with constant output will soon become a thing of the past. Click here to get the facts.

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Claim: Investment in renewable energy is in a downward spiral and major banks and institutional investors are cutting back their clean tech portfolios. Private investors do not believe in renewable energy.

Fact: Investment in clean and renewable energy is at record levels across the private sector. Clean technology is the leading venture capital category and many major Wall Street banks have dedicated, multi-billion dollar clean tech portfolios.Click here to get the facts.

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Claim: Electric Vehicles (EVs) are unpopular, unaffordable and unsafe.

Fact: EVs are selling fast, saving consumers money, creating jobs and are just as safe as the average gas-fueled vehicle. Click here to get the facts.

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Claim: The PTC is a government subsidy that doesn’t really help the wind industry grow and hasn’t resulted in jobs or economic activity since its inception.

Fact: The PTC is a credit used by businesses to expand their renewable electricity generation capability and provide jobs and expand the market for renewable electricity.Click here to get the facts.

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Claim: Energy efficiency standards do not result in significant energy savings or lower costs for certified buildings.

Fact: Rigorous, market-based standards such as the LEED program have achieved significant energy, water, and cost savings in buildings. Click here to get the facts.

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Claim: America doesn’t need improvements to our electric grid; we have one that works just fine and new transmission drives up electrical bills. We are also “overbuilding” to help renewables that aren’t even in service yet.

Fact: The current grid is outdated and new transmission will increase efficiency, open access to cheaper renewable energy and ultimately save consumers money.Click here to get the facts.

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Claim: People near wind turbines suffer from headaches, sleeplessness, and other negative side effects.

Fact: No credible medical source has verified these affects, and sound experts have criticized such claims.Click here to get the facts.

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Claim: Renewable energy technologies use just as much water as traditional energy consumption and are unsuitable for drier regions.

Fact: On the whole, renewable energy uses far less water than traditional energy sources, and mainstream wind and solar PV technologies use little to no water. Click here to get the facts.

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Claim: Renewable Portfolio Standards will not help our energy needs and puts an undue burden on the taxpayers.

Fact: State RPS policies are widely credited with lowering costs, bring better renewable energy tech to the market and opportunities for local businesses.Click here to get the facts.

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Claim: Renewable energy development decimates wildlife and will lead to the extinction of endangered species.

Fact: Renewable energy development is environmentally friendly and less damaging to wildlife than traditional energy.Click here to get the facts.

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Claim: Even with massive subsidies, renewable energy technology cannot survive. Renewables have been getting subsidies for years now; they should be able to stand on their own.

Fact: All energy production in the U.S. receives significant federal support, dating back to the first oil subsidies in early 20th century. Click here to get the facts.

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Claim: Renewable energy is too expensive and drives up electricity and fuel prices.

Fact: Renewable energy is reducing Americans’ energy bills from coast to coast – at home and at the gas pump. Click here to get the facts.

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Claim: Wind farms are a threat to bird populations – and their harmful effect on bird populations is only getting worse as more wind farms are built.

Fact: Wind energy has been shown to be responsible for less than 3 out of every 100,000 bird deaths caused by humans and household pets like cats. Click here to get the facts.

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Claim: Wind energy is too expensive and can’t compete with other sources of electricity.

Fact: Wind is one of the most cost-effective sources of new electricity generation in the United States. Click here to get the facts.

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Claim: The stimulus bill’s support for clean, renewable energy sent jobs overseas.

Fact: The stimulus has supported tens of thousands of American jobs and billions of dollars in investment for renewable energy technologies. Click here to get the facts.

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Claim: The Obama administration is forcing the U.S. Navy to use unproven biofuels.

Fact: The Department of Defense's biofuels initiative began in 2006 and our nation's military leaders have said these fuels are critical to strengthening the military's energy security. Get the facts.

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Claim: Offshore wind energy is too expensive and can’t compete with traditional power sources to help meet our energy needs.

Fact: Studies that show U.S. offshore wind production has large untapped potential, could create more than 40,000 jobs, and that projects like Cape Wind would lower the wholesale price of power. Get the Facts.

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Claim: The Department of Energy’s Loan Guarantee Program is wasting taxpayer money. Abound Solar’s bankruptcy is proof of that.

Fact: The Program was created with bipartisan support, has outperformed expectations, and driven a new wave of private investment in solar. Get the Facts.

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Claim: Renewable energy doesn’t create jobs and raises electricity costs.

Fact: Get the facts on jobs, costs and key policies.

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Claim: No one is investing in renewable energy.

Fact: In 2011, more than $48 billion was invested in renewable energy in the United States. Click here to learn more about investment in renewable energy.

The Daily Update

Majority thinks global warming, clean energy should be priorities

Los Angeles Times— May 22nd, 2013

Global warming and clean energy should be priorities for Congress and the president, a majority of Americans said in a recent survey.

Hydropower growth slows, but value remains high

Fierce Energy— May 22nd, 2013

Hydropower is a powerful and plentiful energy source. The U.S. Congress estimates that the country’s hydropower industry employs 300,000 workers and generates about 7 percent of total U.S. electricity. The U.S. had 79 GW of installed hydropower in 2011, according to data from the Worldwatch Institute.

Consumers push Georgia Power for more solar, energy efficiency

Atlanta Journal Constitution— May 22nd, 2013

A broad group of consumer and environmental advocates, business officials and nonprofit leaders urged Georgia Power to add more renewable energy to its electricity mix over the next two decades.

U.S. Military Seeks to Reduce Energy Costs and Carbon Footprint Through Aggressive Push Into Renewable Energy

The Daily Beast— May 22nd, 2013

The Solar Energy Industries Association released a report Friday detailing the military’s recent commitment to power 25 percent of its electricity intake with renewable energy by 2025. So far more than 130 megawatts of solar voltaic systems have been installed in military bases spanning 31 states and D.C. The panels provide enough electricity to power 22,000 U.S. homes.

Tesla Repaying Loan for ‘Losers’ Gives Obama Green Win

Bloomberg— May 22nd, 2013

Tesla Motors Inc. (TSLA), labeled a “loser” by Mitt Romney during the U.S. election, is giving President Barack Obama’s green-energy strategy its biggest win after almost two years of failures pounced upon by Republicans.

Are we on the cusp of a solar energy boom?

The Week— May 22nd, 2013

The total solar energy hitting Earth each year is equivalent to 12.2 trillion watt-hours. That’s over 20,000 times more than the total energy all of humanity consumes each year.

Berkshire east goes renewable

ESPN— May 22nd, 2013

Now that it’s almost summer, snow might be a diminishing thought on most people’s minds, but as Jeremy Jones recently pointed out to the U.S. Senate and President Barack Obama, the state of winter isn’t anything to sleep on. A recent study co-commissioned by the Natural Resources Defense Council and Protect Our Winters found that there is $12 billion in economic value at stake.

Clean energy means more jobs, not less

AZ Capitol Times— May 21st, 2013

The Arizona Republican Party recently issued a press release stating that I want to “eliminate 1,000 coal jobs” on Navajo land. That statement is so far removed from reality that it warrants a direct response.