Our Thoughts on the Day of the President's Inauguration
January 20, 2009
On this remarkable day in US history, we at freEner-g cannot
help but feel the enormity of the changes and possibilities ahead of us.
There is distinct 'energy' around change, the same energy that one feels
individually when starting a new job or traveling to a new destination...
we have all experienced this before.
Today this same personal experience, we believe, is
unfolding for all of us collectively as a people: new energy for the
nation. Serendipitously, the new administration is also charting a new
course for another kind of energy: electrical energy that powers our homes and
businesses. The newly drafted American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of
2009 calls for a new direction in the energy infrastructure of our country - a
good direction, we believe, with a focus on renewable sources.
With this change, we feel even more fortunate at
freEner-g... fortunate to have your interest and support, fortunate
that the will of the people is shifting towards clean electricity. freEner-g chooses to be a humble participant in this movement... a movement
filled with hope and, dare we say, meaning.
We ask ourselves the question: Can we all (you and us)
create a clean energy infrastructure? Clearly, our answer needs to be...
'Yes, we can!'
Sustainably,
Gerardo Ruiz
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Letter to your Representative
For those of you who want to voice your views in the Minnesota
political process, please remember that our legislature just started a critical
session that will likely include proposals for solar in Minnesota. Below
you will find a letter that we invite you to utilize for submittal to your Senator, Representative and/or members of the Legislative Energy Commission.
To
find your representative go to: http://www.leg.state.mn.us/leg/Districtfinder.aspThe list of potential members of the Legislative
Energy Commission (membership in transition from the Legislative Electric
Energy Task Force):
Dear Representative/Senator ____________,
As we witness President Barack Obama set a new course for
Renewable Energy in our nation, I request today that you consider one powerful
yet often overlooked source of energy in Minnesota: Solar.
The solar potential of Minnesota is enormous and its impact
on local economic development is quantifiable and well documented. Yet, our
current legislation, largely driven by the Renewable Portfolio Standard, has
demonstrated to be marginally effective for solar development in
Minnesota. At the current pace, we will have negligible solar
infrastructure by 2025.
According to studies, solar energy is desirable for an
overwhelming majority of Minnesota constituents. In addition, solar
photovoltaic technology is less than 10 years, some say less than 5 years away
from reaching cost parity with coal power. This is in spite of externalities
for coal-fired plants being currently unaccounted for. Also
noteworthy is that externalities are already costing our economy
untold millions of dollars in misallocated health care and environmental
costs - another well known fact to the majority of Minnesota voters.
Given the above, the conclusion seems obvious: solar needs
regulatory funding in Minnesota now. This funding would only be temporary, until cost parity is reached.
Such progressive solar legislation will accomplish two
critical goals:
1. Spawn massive local
economic development that will more than compensate for the investment in
solar.
2. Put the Minnesota solar
industry in a strong position to channel the upcoming federal funding for
renewable energy.
The times are challenging and the opportunities provided by
solar are enormous. The choice is clear, we can regulate our energy
industry by listening to the will of the people... or not, and continue the
status quo.
Respectfully,
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Help wanted: Paid
part-time and Volunteer Opportunities
We are currently looking to hire someone with writing experience to help us develop a Policies & Procedures manual, this will only be a temporary part time position.
We are also looking for volunteers to help us with developing Google maps/Google earth for our website, a videographer, people to help at the Living Green Expo and a Flyer Distributor.
Please email gerardo@freEner-g.com
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CONTACT US
freEner-g
2740 31st Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55406
612-605-5228
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