Our Name Change: Off the Grid Public Relations
Wednesday, October 8, 2008 at 8:31AM This week Thorell Associates announced our company name change to Off the Grid Public Relations.
In doing this, we are setting a firm stake in the ground, solidifying our commitment to furthering the Environmental and Energy messaging throughout our client projects. We're proud to serve clients in the Renewable Energy and Green Building industries and, with this name change, we believe we better affirm not only the need for transformative changes for net environmental gain but what Martin Luther King referred to as " the immediate urgency of now".
On the plus side of recent news events, we note that the most recent bailout bill includes tax credits for Renewable Energy industries, including solar energy getting an 8-year extension on the 30% tax credits for residential and commercial installations as well as removal of the $2000 cap on residential and utility installations of solar.
On the negative, here in the state of Florida we have reason, however, to reinforce still more the urgency of the need to move to alternative energy resources. Recently the Florida Renewable Energy ruling has been criticised as one of the weakest in the nation. The Florida Energy rule calls for Florida to get 20% of its electrical energy from renewable sources by 2041. Yes, folks - that lags most other states goals by over 30 years.
Florida's current use of renewable energy sources stands at a mere 3.5 percent. Often cited as one of the likely first victims of the deleterious effects of global climate change, yet bringing up the nation's rear in visionary alternative energy policy, Florida seems not to have moved far from the "D" report card given to the state by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory some years ago.
Sources:
Bailing out Renewable Energy Tax Credits in CleanTechnica.com
Florida Renewable Energy Rule criticised as too weak in Forbes
Reader Comments (2)
In the last year or so, the tide has seemed to shift. Some alternative energy producers are now selling to the grid in Florida and other "laggard" states.
Quite true, David! Since this post was written eons ago, little has moved in Florida. It seems each generation of legislators pledges to "diversify the state's economy". And despite the continued Federal support, with each generation, renewable energy (and along with that green job creation) remains, with isolated exceptions, on the back burner. And yes, ESCOs with national presence headquartered in other states, are benefiting. In the end - the price for electricity in the state is still low -- and reduces 9aka destroys) the incentive to move to RE. Sigh...