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Unwise to subsidise failing energy technologies, as wind ans solar now beat coal and nuclear

Don’t subsidize under-performing technologies http://www.news-leader.com/story/opinion/readers/2017/11/11/dont-subsidize-underperforming-technologies/853397001/

James Owen, Columbia Right now, wind and solar are cheaper than coal and nuclear. The markets recognize this. Investor-owned utilities from around the country are recognizing this reality and shifting their infrastructure towards cleaner energy sources. Customers are demanding it; many large companies with a significant presence in Missouri have goals to use 100% renewable energy.

But Rick Perry, an old hand for the coal and oil companies, now runs the Department of Energy. Often a champion of the belief that the government should not pick “winners and losers,” Perry now sees natural market forces as a burden and a danger to these interests. Perry wants to increase how we value baseload generation, which qualifies as nuclear and coal.

We should not subsidize underperforming technologies when we can invest in affordable renewable options. Other conservatives are now discovering their inner, pro- regulatory feelings and are scrambling to come up with diversions for their conflicting positions.

 It is becoming increasingly difficult to justify any new investment in nuclear or coal. Our utilities in Missouri are aware of these cost shifts and their actions confirm it. Empire Electric and Ameren Missouri have both recently announced multi-billion dollar investments in renewables. Even the City Utilities of Springfield are following this trend and are currently sourcing 37% of their power from renewable sources.

With that in mind, we still do have a need for baseload generation, but it is best for Missouri to have a diversified and affordable energy portfolio. This is not a pipe-dream but an inevitable reality. Secretary Perry can seek the government’s help all he wants, but ultimately the capital market will end up making this decision.

James Owen is the Executive Director of Renew Missouri, a 501c3 non-profit that advocates for statewide policy advancements in renewable energy and energy efficiency policies. 

November 13, 2017 - Posted by | general

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