Why we should implement a national RPS in America

I'm here to talk to you about a national RPS (hopefully no one has picked this before).

I'm willing to bet that most of you have not heard of an RPS, and may (or may not, depending on how much you care) be wondering what it is. RPS stands for renewable portfolio standard, and is something the government enacts to promote alternative energy. If you are looking for a good example of one, you can look at California. they currently have enacted one of the toughest RPS's in the country (except for Maine).

You probably aren't asking "but Jacob, why can't all the other states just follow California's lead? Why did you say we need a national RPS?" but let's assume you did. The federal government needs to enact this policy because a national RPS helps out states like Ohio. What make Ohio special is that they would be unable to meet the standard set by California. It would simply cripple their economy. What a national RPS does (along with a system of REC's, or renewable energy credits) is it does not force companies everywhere to meet it, but it does require an average. It also draws from each individual area's strong points. In other words, it can utilize the strengths of each area, without hurting the wildlife.

For the sake of argument, let's assume you are asking "How would a national RPS in America help reduce the rest of the world's CO2 emissions?" Well, it wouldn't directly decrease CO2 emissions in the rest of the world. However, the US accounts for nearly of a quarter of total world emissions, so if we could substantially cut our emissions, it would have a world-wide effect. On the other hand, the US is a strong, powerful country. Hopefully some other major polluters would follow the lead of the US. If we don't implement some sort of environmentally conscience alternative energy policy, there is no hope of other countries listening to us on how to be environmentally friendly.

You might actually be asking this question "How would a National RPS effect the economy?" Well, it would be a big help, especially in the long term promotion of American hegemony. There is a large market for alternative energy globally. However, if we can move some of that market into the US, it would probably inspire kids like us to grow up and become scientists. That would be instrumental in moving all the stuff that makes America the one and only (innovation, economic leadership... ) back to America. It would be similar to the effect of the space race. More alternative energy in the US would also spur more investment in the US, which is definitely good for the economy.

A national RPS would also have substantial effects on our relations with Europe. The Europeans care a lot more about alternative energy than we do here in America. If the United States and Europe agree on more policy, then it can only help our relations with them. We can point to our RPS and say "see, we care about global warming as well." And from there, they would be more likely to help us out in places like Iraq, and other terror frontlines. Thus, a national RPS will help sustain long-term political cooperation with Europe.

And, the last point. A national RPS would, without question, help fight climate change. It demands that we shift away from conventional energy that puts tons of tons of CO2 into the air. CO2 is the main pollutant causing global warming (at least the human emitted one), and so the less of it there is in the air, the better.

America needs an RPS. It needs it economically, politically, and environmentally.

Here's a question I know you're asking, "When will this maniac writer stop writing?" And I can answer that: right now.

Jacob, signing out.