Federally Funded Solar Programs In Question

I have always wondered in the back of my little head, whether or not our government would ever really get behind renewable energy sources to push them into the mainstream to make them more affordable, or whether they were too interested in catering to the lobbyists from other energy companies and suppressing these other "better" energy options. I am not saying they are doing either at this time, it just makes me wonder.

As I mentioned in a previous post, if you have a history of work already in the utilities field, and have not considered seeking additional training in the area of working with renewable energy, then now is a good time. Though the government may not, at this time, be interested in pursuing much involvement, it still seems to be the wave of the future.

The Republican led House, in an effort to cut spending, has started looking at the federal grant and loan guarantee programs in an effort, which could directly hit the funding of renewable-energy companies. One of the grant programs is already set to end at the end of 2011, and has been the one grant that has helped the solar companies to stay afloat during this bad economy.

One of the other loan programs that has provided $35 billion in renewable energy projects, and has provided for 68,000 new jobs, will be ending on Oct 1 of this year. In general, Congress seems to not be interested in government mandates stating what kind of energy Americans should use.

Those in the solar industry say this loss of funds will not kill their programs, but will greatly stall them, and will put a lot of people out of work. Last year alone, the solar powered industry grew 67% faster than before, and over all the solar industry employs close to one hundred thousand. Last year's growth made them the fastest growing industry of all of the US industries, and the cost of installing solar panels in the home dropped by over 20% in 2010 too. But all of that growth will drop drastically from these cuts.

Honestly, I am fine with the government not supporting these industries; but only if they cut the support for all types of industries, including coal, gas and oil, which they have funded for decades. If it is an across the board cut on all energy related sources, that is fine; but if the government says they don't want to mandate what kind of energy Americans should use, and then support one still...well, what can I say about double standards that hasn't been said before?

Jeff McCormack resides in Virginia Beach, VA. where he works as a web designer by day. In his off time he is a husband, father, mail order book store manager, and musician. Aside from being a freelance writer for this Utilities Jobsite blog, he also seeks to assist in career choices and information by contributing to other Nexxt blog sites.