Written by Michael Vass

The move towards global green energy usage took a few steps forward today with announcements by the EU and Wales. These moves are important not only because of their attempt to reduce carbon emissions but also the diversified sources they seek to gain renewable energy from, and the economic stimulus they plan to implement in the process.

The European Union earmarked almost €9bn for investment in green energy projects. This is to be distributed to proposals and projects that research, develop and improve efficiency of alternative energy sources and the reduction of carbon emissions. The net goal is the reduction of dependence on fossil fuels. One such example of this is the Danish project to turn the island of Samsø into a carbon neutral community.

Across from Europe in England similar actions are now planned in Wales. The goal is for Wales to be self-sufficient with renewable energy within 20 years. The main source of the energy would come from wave and tidal energy with “minimum environmental distrubance”. In addition to this wind turbines are another planned source,

“Wind presents great economic opportunities and the potential for Wales to become a world class centre of excellence for the development and manufacturing of low carbon technologies” - John Woodruff, British Wind Energy Association chairman.

But in the United States there continues to be large debate on which renewable energy sources to use. Nuclear and coal energy sources are considered part of the renewable energy portfolio. And a bigger issue looms over the proposals that have been made.

“However, the plan stops short of deciding the sticky question of how and when utility companies will be regulated in the future.”

Reluctance of lawmakers to adopt timeframes and standards bog down efforts to improve the green energy capabilities of States and communities across the nation.

Green energy and renewable energy sources are economically feasible alternatives. The European Union and other initiatives prove that. So efforts to generate those same alternatives in the U.S. need to receive more than debate and exclusive responses.