The Green Energy Act is a movement towards using more renewable energy sources, such as solar, wind, and crop-based energy. Many new operations have sprung up around the countryside, as you can see new turbines and solar panels being put up as you drive down almost any country road. Talk about ethanol plants has slowed due to the economic downturn, but there is still more talk about switching to cellulose-based ethanol production, which would revolutionize the industry.
Just a few weeks ago, new legislation was passed to restrict the placement of new solar operations. The new law states that no ground-mounted solar operations above 100 kW can be placed on class 1 or 2 land (which, as many people know, is prime land for agriculture). Many people in favour have sprung up in protest about this new law, viewing it as a restriction on an attempt to save the environment.
Now, I have to say I can see both sides of the argument. Seeing as most larger operations must be mounted close to larger power lines (which are mostly situated on class 1 and 2 land) I can see where many people would raise hue and cry over such a law. However, as population continues to rise, the need for food is going to rise exponentially, especially as more developing countries raise themselves out of poverty. Realistically, isn’t a compromise possible? Can’t the solar companies take advantage of areas such as fence lines that aren’t used by farmers anyways? Can’t farmers realize that the need for cleaner energy is going to become paramount?
I think, if we all started to work together a little bit more, we could get a lot more things done, and more efficiently too.
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