Investors have given the needed boost Thames Estuary’s, “London Array,” a plan to build 175 wind turbines offshore in its first phase, according to The Guardian.

From the story:

The prime minister, Gordon Brown, described the London Array as a “flagship project” in the drive to cut carbon emissions by 80% by 2050. Environmental groups also broadly welcomed the project although they warned that much more needs to be done to encourage the growth of the offshore wind industry. Nick Rau at Friends of the Earth said the decision to go ahead with the project showed that renewables were becoming “major league”.

Major league, indeed!  Britain is apparently thinking on a grand scale for wind projects:

The scheme is part of the second round of offshore wind farms that have been given consent, which together with the first phase would generate 8GW of power when they are fully built, although many of the projects have stalled because of the economic climate. Bids are in for a third round of nine sites off the coast of Britain, which would add an additional 25GW. If all the proposed wind farms were built, they would together generate 33GW, meeting 25% of the electricity demand in Britain.

That’s right: 25%!  Britain has about 60 million people, which is approximately 20% of that of the U.S.  But that’s no excuse for dragging our heals over here in the States — we have a lot more available coastline for projects and should take advantage of the technology that is available here and now.  

Still, some say that the British are not coming fast enough:

Dr Spencer Fitz-Gibbon, a spokesman for the Green Party, said: “We very strongly welcome this development in itself but the government is not doing enough. Neither should this deflect from the fact that the government is working from the wrong targets. The most recent science tells us that we need a 90% reduction in emissions by 2030.”

The United States can and should get in on this action

I have to be impressed with strong goals and plans being put into place to achieve them.  If the U.S. were to embark upon similar goals, think about the signal it would send to the world, to other countries trying to keep up with our pace (if we were to outpace anyone in renewables, which is currently not the case).  Think also about how that increased demand and scale could help drive down the costs of wind turbines and even solar.

Is it unrealistic to say that in ten years, the U.S. could follow suit by adding 25% of their own capacity in offshore wind?  Then add another 20% or 25% with onshore wind.  Then another 20% to 25% in solar arrays.  Is that impossible?  Would we really see the government and investors, hand-in-hand doing what it takes?

Four Much-Needed Provisions

1. We can and should do just that!  In this economic climate, the U.S. government should issue bonds to fight global warming.  Investors would be given a safe investment, backed by the government.  After they are paid off, our electricity sources would be public entities, which is the safe way to go — we should have these publicly owned for and by the people. 
2. Along with the new renewable sources coming online, decommission of the existing dirty coal-fired and polluting nuclear power plants should be required.
3. Large reductions in energy needs, by subsidizing and offering tax incentives to individuals and businesses to improve efficiency in appliances, lighting, and building insulation, would help us to grow our economy with less overall electricity.
4. Cap-and-trade system put into place to raise the cost of making electricity with polluting sources.

These four provisions would help us to bring vast amounts of renewable, carbon-free energy sources online, and would be a strong impetus to current power companies.  The message would be clear: there will be only one way for you to keep making money in this business, and that is to use renewable, clean sources of fuel.  Do that, and you can remain a player.  Choose not to, and you’ll be out!

Related posts:

1. False Debate of Offshore Oil Drilling Will offshore oil drilling solve our energy crisis? Should it...
2. Weekly Green News Blurb | You Should Know Vol. 2 Big Environmental News shaping up that you may not have...
3. Pickens Plan for Natural Gas and Wind Power Heard yet about (oilman) T. Boone Pickens' plan? It might...