A Renewable Energy Boom

New York Times Opinion Editorial, April 4, 2016

The article suggests that renewables are moving into the mainstream for the following reasons:

• The cost of wind, solar and geothermal electrical production has dropped significantly
• Renewables now account for a majority of the new capacity around the world.
• Between 2009-2015, the cost of solar panels has fallen by 60% and during the same period wind 14%.
• In sunny areas around the world, they are selling solar power at half the price of global electric prices.
• The taxing of carbon for the burning of fossil fuels in British Columbia is encouraging cleaner fuels.

In addition to fossil fuel energy is not cheap when you factor in the environmental damage and the significantly great amount of employment that is created by renewables. In the case of geothermal electrical production, it decentralizes the grid making it more survivable and boost local economic development. This helps prevent boom and bust communities that often results from fossil fuel extraction.