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> When given a choice between expanding fossil fuel production or expanding renewable power, Republicans under the age of 30 favored renewables by a 2-to-1 marg

by xedrac 2y ago

> When given a choice between expanding fossil fuel production or expanding renewable power, Republicans under the age of 30 favored renewables by a 2-to-1 margin. Republicans over 30, in contrast, favored fossil fuels by margins that increased with age I don't know any Republicans that think solar panels are a bad thing. But when they hear how we've sacrificed our oil independence on the altar of climate change, they aren't going to be happy about it. Why does it have to be either or? Adoption was happening at a fairly rapid pace while we were still oil independent. I get that Democrats want it to happen faster, but I think this approach will just cause a lot of Republicans to dig their heels in, even though they have no problems with solar. Wind turbines are a bit more controversial, simply because they tend be quite ugly.

tstrimple 2y ago
> I don't know any Republicans that think solar panels are a bad thing. Unfortunately they aren't hard to find. From individuals: https://www.kcrg.com/2021/06/09/people-palo-worry-proposed-3500-acre-solar-farm-linn-county-will-keep-community-growing/ https://www.kcrg.com/2021/06/09/people-palo-worry-proposed-3... To state governments: https://www.thegazette.com/state-government/iowa-bill-would-limit-commercial-solar-panel-construction/ https://www.thegazette.com/state-government/iowa-bill-would-... > "Zumbach, the bill’s floor manager, said it is intended to address multiple concerns landowners have about solar fields on neighboring properties. Some landowners don’t like to see solar panels near their property, he said, and he also said tornadoes and windstorms could blow debris into an adjacent property."
toss1 2y ago
>> ...sacrificed our oil independence on the alter of climate change? That's just counter to the facts. The US is now producing oil at greater rates than ever, is a net exporter, and now produces more crude oil than any country, EVER [0]. The US is also exporting Natural Gas, which had not been done before the Biden admin. Yes renewables have advanced faster, but no one is "sacrificing" fossil fuel production, and our energy independence has only grown since 2021. Providing facts rather than false rhetoric might have people digging in their heels less. [0] https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=61545 https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=61545
Tade0 2y ago
> Adoption was happening at a fairly rapid pace while we were still oil independent. If by that you mean "net oil exporter", then that's not the full story. US oil refining infrastructure is geared towards decontaminating cheap, sulfur-rich (sour) crude and refining that. Meanwhile domestic resources are low in sulfur (sweet) and are exported at much higher prices than imports. Overall the US is not oil-independent despite being a net exporter because the current situation guarantees high margins and low domestic fuel prices.

by xedrac 2y ago

tstrimple 2y ago

> I don't know any Republicans that think solar panels are a bad thing. Unfortunately they aren't hard to find. From individuals: https://www.kcrg.com/2021/06/09/people-palo-worry-proposed-3500-acre-solar-farm-linn-county-will-keep-community-growing/ https://www.kcrg.com/2021/06/09/people-palo-worry-proposed-3... To state governments: https://www.thegazette.com/state-government/iowa-bill-would-limit-commercial-solar-panel-construction/ https://www.thegazette.com/state-government/iowa-bill-would-... > "Zumbach, the bill’s floor manager, said it is intended to address multiple concerns landowners have about solar fields on neighboring properties. Some landowners don’t like to see solar panels near their property, he said, and he also said tornadoes and windstorms could blow debris into an adjacent property."

toss1 2y ago

>> ...sacrificed our oil independence on the alter of climate change? That's just counter to the facts. The US is now producing oil at greater rates than ever, is a net exporter, and now produces more crude oil than any country, EVER [0]. The US is also exporting Natural Gas, which had not been done before the Biden admin. Yes renewables have advanced faster, but no one is "sacrificing" fossil fuel production, and our energy independence has only grown since 2021. Providing facts rather than false rhetoric might have people digging in their heels less. [0] https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=61545 https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=61545

Tade0 2y ago

> Adoption was happening at a fairly rapid pace while we were still oil independent. If by that you mean "net oil exporter", then that's not the full story. US oil refining infrastructure is geared towards decontaminating cheap, sulfur-rich (sour) crude and refining that. Meanwhile domestic resources are low in sulfur (sweet) and are exported at much higher prices than imports. Overall the US is not oil-independent despite being a net exporter because the current situation guarantees high margins and low domestic fuel prices.