Power Evolution

Don’t you find it strange that the Democrats are now trying to block clean power plans? A recent proposal by President Obama is focusing on closing down the planned Yucca Mountain nuclear waste vault has Democrats upset (check out last Friday’s Wall Street Journal). Back in the late 1970s, President Carter placed solar panels on the White House and then President Regan had them torn off after taking over in office. The disparity between the former presidents was spurred primarily by an oil crisis during that time. Now, we are faced with a supposed climate crisis, but it appears that the Republicans are leading the way for alternative power options.

Why the shift in party opinions? While there are a number of answers, the simplest one is that alternative power production facilities are a huge opportunity for small and large businesses. As the consumer demand swells, more power providers will be forced to adapt to the changing technology of power production. Sure, we now have groups and organizations arguing against wind farms and solar farms based on ecological and economical impacts, such as lost jobs due to the closure of mines and coal facilities. Fortunately, they cannot stop the current power evolution. Alternative power facilities must be built and constantly improved — much like coal facilities were in the 19th century.