Jerry Brown proposing for clean energy job creation
More and more political candidates are jumping on the bandwagon of going green by including environmental friendly plans into their platform pitching even far-reaching goals sometimes. One addition to these “eco-candidates” is Jerry Brown, a Democratic gubernatorial nominee who wants to create clean energy jobs. Brown, a wizened political veteran was California’s Governor in 70s. He was actually one of the first politicians to promote renewable energy like solar and wind during his time. And now with the current green trends his renewable energy goals are all the more applicable.
Brown is proposing to create 20,000 megawatts renewable electricity by 2020 and calls for placing solar panels on major thoroughfares across the state. A goal which other clean energy analyst say is unrealistic. By comparison, The California Solar Initiative aims to create 3,000 megawatts of solar produced by 2016.
Brown’s plan also includes education and infrastructure development, tax breaks for manufacturers by reducing regulations to retain businesses. He is also proposing for a fast tracking projects through the California Energy Commission in obtaining permits which usually run for six to eight years. Most of Brown’s suggestions are already in the works. It’s given information that regulators from state and the federal government are already fast tracking clean energy project to meet guidelines to receive federal funding from the stimulus bill.
On the contrary, spokeswoman for Brown’s Republican challenger, former eBay CEO Meg Whitman said Brown’s goal doesn’t appear to be anything new. Spokeswoman Sarah Pompei said Whitman already professed support to California’s 33 percent renewable standard plan months ago. Pompei added that while Brown mocked Whitman’s agenda, he now appears to be taking ideas from it.
Brown is said to be emphasizing his political skills from being a two-termer governor from 1775-83 and his clean-energy proposal on most of his speech, even subtly referring to Whitman as a newbie in political arena. Getting eco-friendly platform from candidates is a welcome treat. It is important for our future leaders to be environmentally conscious and pro active in thinking sustainable measures, however they also need to consider if these plans are reasonable and can be implemented easily.
