Posted by Dave Klecha - Greenedia Editor on February 23, 2008 at 03:35:32 PM

Renewable energy remains one of the big issues in terms of converting to a clean economy, and official action on many levels is required to make that happen.  While national governments slowly start to catch up, much of the heavy lifting is still being done on the state, province, and local levels.  In many ways intended to prepare for eventual federal requirements, and also to placate a populace that demands action, a number of states and localities have provided very aggressive measures to attempt to curb greenhouse gas emissions and reduce energy consumption.

On the federal level, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nevada) called for new renewable energy legislation at the Renewable Energy World Conference & Exhibition North America.  Seeking a national standard of renewable energy, along with incentives for participation and standardization for home renewable energy efforts, Sen. Reid is banking on a growing feeling of urgency for renewable energy standards.  He also seems to be looking with an eye toward the upcoming Presidential election, where all three current front-runners, including Republican Sen. John McCain, have strong renewable energy planks in their platforms, promising stronger potential for action than under the current administration.

The Canadian government meanwhile is backing a project in Eastern Canada by Thermal Energy to help a pulp and paper mill reclaim biowaste as energy to run critical plant functions. Thermal Energy is hoping that the project will serve as a sort of beacon for future renewable energy efforts in Canada.

Three Michigan universities--University of Michigan, Michigan State University, and Wayne State University in downtown Detroit--are teaming up to provide funding to full-time faculty to research sustainable projects as part of their existing University Research Corridor cooperative.  The hope there is to do together what the faculties of the three big universities could not do on their own, and along the way help redevelop Michigan's stagnant economy.
In terms of leadership in renewable energy, Portugal would seem to be leading the pack, aiming for 45% of energy from renewables by 2010--one of the most aggressive goals in the world--with an eye toward 60% not long after.  While Portugal's geography and small size offer a somewhat easier path to a sustainable economy, they are also a showcase of what determination can do when tackling a problem such as this.  Some in the State of Maryland, in fact, could take a page from their book, should the state government enact legislation calling for a 90% reduction in emissions by 2050.  While it is an ambitious goal, 90% by 2050 is by no means out of reach of any developed nation (or portion thereof), and should be approached with enthusiasm and determination, not doomsaying and negativity.

In all, there is a great deal of forward motion, naysayers aside, on the positioning of renewable energy as a viable basis for future economy; days are coming when holdouts are more notable than adopters, and the world may well be on its way to a sustainable future.