Photovoltaic panels being installed at Pahoa Cash & Carry. Photo by Baron Sekiya/Hawaii247.com

MEDIA RELEASE

As calls for a bold new climate and energy policy grow louder – from the halls of Congress, the White House and the Lingle Adminstration – the “We” Campaign is has released a TV ad calling for continued major investment in solar energy. No word on whether ‘We’ll actually see it in Hawaii, but apparently it’s out there.

The ad explains how harnessing the power of the sun – as the American West is “the Saudi Arabia of solar power” – can drive the national movement away from fossil fuels and create jobs that cannot be shipped overseas. Studies show the resource potential of solar energy is so vast a parcel of land in the Southwest, 96 miles on a side, could power America’s entire electricity system.

Before a joint session of Congress last week, President Barack Obama expressed strong support for growing the economy by repowering America, calling for leadership and innovation in clean energy technologies and for a national energy policy that shifts emphasis away from the fuels of the 20th century.

“We invented solar technology, but we’ve fallen behind countries like Germany and Japan in producing it,” Obama said. “It is time for America to lead again. To truly transform our economy, to protect our security and save our planet from the ravages of climate change, we need to ultimately make clean, renewable energy the profitable kind of energy.”

Alliance for Climate Protection CEO Cathy Zoi echoed this call.

“We need Washington D.C.’s continued commitment through investments and incentives so that private capital will flow to the renewable clean energy industry and accelerate its growth. If we do this now, we can rebuild our economy, strengthen our national security and solve the climate crisis,” Zoi said.  “Moving to the path toward free fuels like the sun and wind would offer the affordability and stability our economy desperately needs right now.”

“Repower America” is a project of the Alliance for Climate Protection, a 501(c)(3) organization founded in 2006 by former Vice President Al Gore, who currently serves as chairman of the bipartisan board of directors.  

— Find out more:

Repower America: www.repoweramerica.org