Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Little Tich

(6,171 posts)
Mon Jul 27, 2015, 12:27 AM Jul 2015

Hillary Clinton pledges half a billion solar panels for US if she wins office

Source: The Guardian

Democratic presidential frontrunner also says she wants America to generate enough clean renewable energy to power every home within 10 years

Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton has announced goals for increasing US reliance on renewable energy, pledging to have more than half a billion solar panels installed nationwide within four years of taking office.

Clinton, the front-runner for her party’s 2016 presidential nomination, also pledged on her website on Sunday that the United States would generate enough clean renewable energy to power every home in the country within 10 years of taking office.

The two goals were the first elements of what she said would be a comprehensive climate-change agenda to be announced over the next few months.

Read more: http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/jul/27/hillary-clinton-pledges-half-a-billion-solar-panels-for-us-if-she-wins-office

54 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Hillary Clinton pledges half a billion solar panels for US if she wins office (Original Post) Little Tich Jul 2015 OP
Which is much more brilliant and productive than building the world's biggest wall. truthisfreedom Jul 2015 #1
Hell yes, this is the right track. Thinkingabout Jul 2015 #3
chuckle. Spot on. riversedge Jul 2015 #8
OR, you could build it WITH solar panels!! Win-win!! 7962 Jul 2015 #30
solar on every suitable residential, business, public rooftop in 10 yrs or less nt msongs Jul 2015 #2
We could have had the PV's RobertEarl Jul 2015 #4
Uh, it was Ronald Reagan who reversed Carter's moves on solar energy. PBass Jul 2015 #6
true. but once the ecomony was booming again, there was nothing to stop Reagan's successor magical thyme Jul 2015 #16
I didn't know Bill was running... kjones Jul 2015 #21
as I recall, back in '92 he ran as a "twofer" magical thyme Jul 2015 #22
I'm guessing we'll see more of him than Mrs Sanders! nt Walk away Jul 2015 #26
We'd definitely be a LOT further along in development & efficiency. nt 7962 Jul 2015 #31
Excellent!! Way overdue... PBass Jul 2015 #5
We need the smart grid that can use it too. Spitfire of ATJ Jul 2015 #7
Part of the roadmap. joshcryer Jul 2015 #9
KnR sheshe2 Jul 2015 #10
Can't argue with that. bobbobbins01 Jul 2015 #11
I suspect Bill made a deal with China Geronimoe Jul 2015 #12
So Bill Clinton is running again? Agnosticsherbet Jul 2015 #33
I suspect that you......... Darb Jul 2015 #34
how about a carbon tax? 6chars Jul 2015 #13
"Made in America" solar panels? dmosh42 Jul 2015 #14
only if a US based panel manufacturer kicked in enough money to the Clinton Foundation Amishman Jul 2015 #18
Weak sauce, really weak. Darb Jul 2015 #35
That's ridiculous... hughee99 Jul 2015 #47
See, specifics aren't so hard Android3.14 Jul 2015 #15
see, good ideas are meant to be borrowed, improved on and implemented. magical thyme Jul 2015 #17
hillary....which ever way the wind blows...... bowens43 Jul 2015 #19
Hillary will never be President madokie Jul 2015 #20
She has great ideas for the economy and for the environment Evergreen Emerald Jul 2015 #23
I don't agree madokie Jul 2015 #25
Could you expound please? Darb Jul 2015 #37
I think we know that will never happen. Biden would be forced to run if it.... Walk away Jul 2015 #28
the centrist wing of the party's record on predicting electability is pretty dismal frylock Jul 2015 #40
And yet we have a centerist President! nt Walk away Jul 2015 #41
Pretty certain the candidate labeled as electable in 2008 is the same candidate.. frylock Jul 2015 #42
No. Sorry. elleng Jul 2015 #45
"She is the most qualified candidate ever to run for office. " tazkcmo Jul 2015 #51
I'm curious to see how she plans to pay for them magical thyme Jul 2015 #24
There is no plan because her donors don't want such a plan... Cosmic Kitten Jul 2015 #29
Says you. Darb Jul 2015 #36
Hillary platitudes ignore elephant in the room Cosmic Kitten Jul 2015 #27
Jeez, give it a rest. Darb Jul 2015 #38
Thanks. Martin O'Malley HAS such plan: elleng Jul 2015 #44
And how are other candidates' promises not "half-baked wish lists"? pnwmom Jul 2015 #46
Excellent but also will generate a billion more barrels of GOP donations from Big Oil. Nt JudyM Jul 2015 #32
These are great proposals for the enviroment Gothmog Jul 2015 #39
Martin O'Malley: Zero out fossil fuels by 2050. elleng Jul 2015 #43
excellent. I love to hear that he is promoting that...thank, ellen... CTyankee Jul 2015 #48
omalley has the most comprehensive plan for climate change and energy restorefreedom Jul 2015 #50
Yes it is, the MOST comprehensive, elleng Jul 2015 #54
let's not overlook this little tidbit restorefreedom Jul 2015 #49
I hope she is serious about this and not "promising ponies" tabasco Jul 2015 #52
Half a Billion Panels? fredamae Jul 2015 #53
 

RobertEarl

(13,685 posts)
4. We could have had the PV's
Mon Jul 27, 2015, 12:53 AM
Jul 2015

If a certain someone had followed Carter's lead in 92-00.

And let's be clear right up front.... nuclear power is not a clean renewable electricity source. Just so we're clear.

PBass

(1,537 posts)
6. Uh, it was Ronald Reagan who reversed Carter's moves on solar energy.
Mon Jul 27, 2015, 02:02 AM
Jul 2015

When you said "92 to 2000", you skipped over the years 1980 to 1988. Those years were much more directly relevant to what Carter was trying to do.

 

magical thyme

(14,881 posts)
16. true. but once the ecomony was booming again, there was nothing to stop Reagan's successor
Mon Jul 27, 2015, 07:32 AM
Jul 2015

(considering Poppy to be Reagan's 3rd term) from moving on reducing our ties to the ME and simultaneously taking action on climate change.

We've had a heads up on Climate Change since the 60s and Peak Oil since the 70s. Our 1st democratic president after the 60s, attempted to address them head on. Subsequent democratic presidents, starting in '92, not so much.

 

magical thyme

(14,881 posts)
22. as I recall, back in '92 he ran as a "twofer"
Mon Jul 27, 2015, 09:47 AM
Jul 2015

I'm sure this time around they'll keep him quiet and in the background. Time will tell.

PBass

(1,537 posts)
5. Excellent!! Way overdue...
Mon Jul 27, 2015, 01:58 AM
Jul 2015

America can still lead on this, or we can be forced to play catch-up and buy the technology from another country. It's a choice.

joshcryer

(62,265 posts)
9. Part of the roadmap.
Mon Jul 27, 2015, 02:17 AM
Jul 2015

This actually isn't that super groundbreaking. Still nice to see but not like there's a huge commitment being offered.

Ban coal exports and then I'll get excited.

bobbobbins01

(1,681 posts)
11. Can't argue with that.
Mon Jul 27, 2015, 02:45 AM
Jul 2015

I don't get the whole "agenda rolling out over the course of several months" thing, but so far so good.

 

Darb

(2,807 posts)
34. I suspect that you.........
Mon Jul 27, 2015, 11:34 AM
Jul 2015

ooops, caught myself. Don't want the flyby alerters to get me suspended again. You will just have to guess what I was going to say.

Amishman

(5,538 posts)
18. only if a US based panel manufacturer kicked in enough money to the Clinton Foundation
Mon Jul 27, 2015, 08:29 AM
Jul 2015

Wallstreet Hillary doesn't miss an opportunity

hughee99

(16,113 posts)
47. That's ridiculous...
Mon Jul 27, 2015, 03:32 PM
Jul 2015

even if that were true, if Clinton is elected, she'll have a presidential library to raise money for.

 

Android3.14

(5,402 posts)
15. See, specifics aren't so hard
Mon Jul 27, 2015, 06:44 AM
Jul 2015

I'd vote for her for this. It's almost as good as Bernie. Too bad about her other non-positions.

 

magical thyme

(14,881 posts)
17. see, good ideas are meant to be borrowed, improved on and implemented.
Mon Jul 27, 2015, 07:34 AM
Jul 2015

So I'm glad she's finally put something on the table.

Now whoever wins can take it and make it "solar panels made in America and owned by the owner's of the roofs."

madokie

(51,076 posts)
20. Hillary will never be President
Mon Jul 27, 2015, 08:49 AM
Jul 2015

I'll vote for her if she gets our nomination but I don't think I'll have to worry with that happening.

Evergreen Emerald

(13,069 posts)
23. She has great ideas for the economy and for the environment
Mon Jul 27, 2015, 09:51 AM
Jul 2015

Her foreign relations experience is unmatched. She is the most qualified candidate ever to run for office.

And if Sanders wins the primary, the republicans will gain the presidency.

Walk away

(9,494 posts)
28. I think we know that will never happen. Biden would be forced to run if it....
Mon Jul 27, 2015, 10:48 AM
Jul 2015

ever looked as if Sanders was actually going to win the primary. Sanders is as unelectable to the presidency as Donald Trump is, no matter how much his supporters adore him.

frylock

(34,825 posts)
42. Pretty certain the candidate labeled as electable in 2008 is the same candidate..
Mon Jul 27, 2015, 01:22 PM
Jul 2015

labeled as inevitable today.

 

magical thyme

(14,881 posts)
24. I'm curious to see how she plans to pay for them
Mon Jul 27, 2015, 09:53 AM
Jul 2015

Will it be government loans to individuals to install them, who will then own them?

Or will taxpayers pay for them twice, once to subsidize the electric companies to buy and install them, and again to pay their electric bill?

Cosmic Kitten

(3,498 posts)
29. There is no plan because her donors don't want such a plan...
Mon Jul 27, 2015, 10:53 AM
Jul 2015

Unless, they force people to LEASE
their solar arrays.

If the solar arrays are leased
it's a win-win for Big Energy.

Energy companies won't need to
spend as much to upgrade their
facilities, eliminate competition,
and generate revenue both through
the lease and selling electricity.

It's a shell game

 

Darb

(2,807 posts)
36. Says you.
Mon Jul 27, 2015, 11:41 AM
Jul 2015

And I am not sure that you are a valid source. Are you? Can you provide any reasons that I should value your assessment?

Cosmic Kitten

(3,498 posts)
27. Hillary platitudes ignore elephant in the room
Mon Jul 27, 2015, 10:48 AM
Jul 2015

What is her plan to fight the
Coal and Oil industry campaign
to make solar cost prohibitive?

Seems like half-baked wishlist
that ignores the REAL OBSTACLE
to clean, renewable energy.

For the last few months, the Kochs and other big polluters have been spending heavily to fight incentives for renewable energy, which have been adopted by most states. They particularly dislike state laws that allow homeowners with solar panels to sell power they don’t need back to electric utilities. So they’ve been pushing legislatures to impose a surtax on this increasingly popular practice, hoping to make installing solar panels on houses less attractive.

Oklahoma lawmakers recently approved such a surcharge at the behest of the American Legislative Exchange Council, the conservative group that often dictates bills to Republican statehouses and receives financing from the utility industry and fossil-fuel producers, including the Kochs. As The Los Angeles Times reported recently, the Kochs and ALEC have made similar efforts in other states, though they were beaten back by solar advocates in Kansas and the surtax was reduced to $5 a month in Arizona.

But the Big Carbon advocates aren’t giving up. The same group is trying to repeal or freeze Ohio’s requirement that 12.5 percent of the state’s electric power come from renewable sources like solar and wind by 2025. Twenty-nine states have established similar standards that call for 10 percent or more in renewable power. These states can now anticipate well-financed campaigns to eliminate these targets or scale them back.

<snip>

The utilities hate this requirement, for obvious reasons. A report by the Edison Electric Institute, the lobbying arm of the power industry, says this kind of law will put “a squeeze on profitability,” and warns that if state incentives are not rolled back, “it may be too late to repair the utility business model.”
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/27/opinion/sunday/the-koch-attack-on-solar-energy.html
 

Darb

(2,807 posts)
38. Jeez, give it a rest.
Mon Jul 27, 2015, 11:45 AM
Jul 2015

Let her say some things and let them marinate a bit. Why so quick to attack?

Damn, primary season is enough to make you not want to vote at all. Hope that works out for you.

pnwmom

(108,925 posts)
46. And how are other candidates' promises not "half-baked wish lists"?
Mon Jul 27, 2015, 02:56 PM
Jul 2015

The elephant in the room for ALL of the candidates is the Republican-dominated Congress.

elleng

(130,126 posts)
43. Martin O'Malley: Zero out fossil fuels by 2050.
Mon Jul 27, 2015, 01:41 PM
Jul 2015

This was published on June 18, 2015.

New technologies now put an independent clean energy future decidedly within our reach as a nation.

But reach for it we must.

Clean energy represents the biggest business and job creation opportunity we've seen in a hundred years. And reliance on local, renewable energy sources means a more secure nation and a more stable world.

Given the grave threat that climate change poses to human life on our planet, we have not only a business imperative but a moral obligation to future generations to act immediately and aggressively.

This is why protecting the United States from the devastating impact of climate change — while capitalizing on the job creation opportunity of clean energy — is at the center of my campaign for president.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2015/06/18/pope-francis-encyclical-clean-energy-technology-campaign-column/28859409/

restorefreedom

(12,655 posts)
50. omalley has the most comprehensive plan for climate change and energy
Tue Jul 28, 2015, 09:44 AM
Jul 2015

i think bernie is very close, or maybe he just hasn't fleshed it all out yet.

but omalleys is very specific and well thought out

restorefreedom

(12,655 posts)
49. let's not overlook this little tidbit
Tue Jul 28, 2015, 09:42 AM
Jul 2015

"Clinton’s plans also call for extending federal clean energy tax incentives and making them more cost effective both for taxpayers and clean energy producers, her campaign said."

let's decode:

tax incentives for clean energy producers: code for goodies for the oil and gas companies to get them to try and do what they should have to be doing anyway..making clean energy

tax incentives for taxpayers: code for a small tax break for someone who buys solar panels which probably won't even offset the cost. makes the goodies for big oil sound slightly less wretched

and how does this gel with keystone xl? she still hasn't come out with with
a clear position on it.

 

tabasco

(22,974 posts)
52. I hope she is serious about this and not "promising ponies"
Tue Jul 28, 2015, 10:11 AM
Jul 2015

We must end our reliance on fossil fuels.

Latest Discussions»Latest Breaking News»Hillary Clinton pledges h...