Can we transition from Nimby to Yimby - 272

 We now know the challenge. To save our planet, we must accomplish four things. We must replace coal, oil, and gas sources with wind, solar, nuclear, and other non-carbon-polluting energy sources. New or existing high voltage power lines must then transport the electrical power from where it is produced to where it is needed. The consumer at the end of the line, you, and I, will be challenged to purchase electrically driven high-efficiency devices like heat pumps, electric vehicles, and induction stovetops. Finally, all of this will need to be supported by American Industry and workers.

With the passing of the Inflation Reduction Act, American Enterprise and capital appear up to the task of building what we need. New Electric Vehicles are appearing every day. Thirteen new battery giga factories are being built in the USA. 

Solar Panel manufacturing is being ramped up. For example, Seol-headquartered PV solar-cell manufacturing giant Qcells will invest more than $2.5 billion to build a solar supply chain in Georgia-the largest-ever investment in clean energy manufacturing in the U.S. Additionally, “First Solar”, the largest US owned solar panel manufacturer, announced that it is opening a third manufacturing plant in Ohio. Locally the new Heliene Solar panel plant, is churning out solar panels in Mountain Iron, Minnesota. 

To meet the requirements of the Biden Inflation Reduction Act, foreign companies are scrambling to manufacture their products in the USA.

Unfortunately, the biggest challenge to electrification will be permitting. When siting a new wind farm, solar farm, or electric transmission lines, these projects must first meet national, state, and local permitting requirements. 

It was assumed the construction of solar, wind, and nuclear power plants would be the most formidable problem to overcome. However, there is opposition, in some places, to these pieces in the power production puzzle, The good news is these new power sources have something going for them. When built and operating, they make money. They make money not only for the utility but the farmer, the landowner, and often the community. Public attitudes change when there is money to be made or saved.

Despite the economic win-win of wind farms, only 21% of all proposed wind farms have jumped the permitting hurdles. Transmission lines have an even more challenging time getting permitted. It is a long, complicated process that can often take over 10 years. There is Bi-Partisan support to streamline the process. The Biden Administration is attempting to do just that while being "guided by the best science" to protect wildlife, the air, and water and also meeting Federal Protected Land Usage regulations.

There are often both real and false objections to siting a new transmission line through any area. We may be called on to support or oppose a solar farm, a wind farm, or a transmission line. Wealthier communities, often labeling themselves "Progressive," sometimes make the loudest objections when a green project is proposed. 

Many more wind and solar farms and nuclear plants must be built to meet the earth's climate deadline. We need to build 75,000 miles of high-voltage lines, enough to wrap around the world three times. A lot of people are going to be impacted. Survival depends on everyone, especially progressives, falling in love with the green building boom. 

There are some great examples of communities coming together to meet the climate challenge. One notable example is Block Island, 15 miles off the coast of Rhode Island. The community has switched to offshore wind power. Five turbines just offshore in sight of the village now power their community. Before wind turbines, diesel generators provided their power. The community has marveled at the quiet while discovering the newfound sounds of nature.

This issue is critical to human and non-human survival. I leave the following sources of information for you to expand your understanding. Will you be a NIMBY, (Not in My Backyard, or will you support the fight against climate change by supporting Green Energy Initiatives and be a YIMBY, (Yes in My Back Yard)?  Sometimes we have to overcome our short-term objections to obtain a long-term goal.  Saving the planet should be everyone’s long term goal. 

I just tried to summarize the title of this article a little more.  No different then mining copper near the Boundary Waters.  Who cares if we have the BWCA if all the fish and wildlife is dead and the forests are black? 

1.     Smithsonian magazine April/May 2022 "American Revolution" "Block Island: Offshore Wind Drives a Historic Community's Energy Independence" by Elizabeth Royte

2.     Mother Jones magazine, May & June 2023, multiple articles, "Getting to Yes" Learning to love the green building boom, by Bill McKibben.

3.     Mother Jones, May & June 2023, "Electrify Everything, Everywhere, All at Once” by Jesse D Jenkins. Dr. Jenkins is a Princeton University professor. The MIT-trained mechanical engineer is leading efforts to model how solutions might work and how to get them done.

4.     Brookings, "How does permitting for clean energy infrastructure work," September 28, 2022.

5.     National Academies of Science downloadable book, 2021: "Accelerating Decarbonization of the U.S. Energy System"

Description of the book by the NAS: "The world is transforming its energy system from one dominated by fossil fuel combustion to one with net-zero emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2), the primary anthropogenic greenhouse gas. This energy transition is critical to mitigating climate change, protecting human health, and revitalizing the U.S. economy. To help policymakers, businesses, communities, and the public better understand what a net-zero transition would mean for the United States, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine convened a committee of experts to investigate how the U.S. could best decarbonize its transportation, electricity, buildings, and industrial sectors."