SARAH PALIN BOOSTS NEW ENERGY

Meanwhile, Sarah Palin Embraces Renewable Energy
Kate Galbraith, January 20, 2009 (NY Times)

“In his inaugural speech, delivered in Washington on Tuesday afternoon, Barack Obama revisited energy and environmental themes…in keeping with Mr. Obama’s recently announced goal of doubling renewable energy in three years.

“They also put him in rare concert with his campaign opponent, Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska, who just announced her own wind, geothermal, tidal and wave energy push. Momentarily parting ways with “drill, baby, drill,” the pro-oil refrain made popular during the Republican presidential campaign, Ms. Palin said last week that her oil- and gas-producing state will endeavor to get half its electricity from renewables by 2025…

“The move is part of the Alaska Energy Authority’s …Alaska Energy: A First Step Toward Energy Independence..."

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“Renewable energy advocates were nonetheless pleased by the governor’s plan…Alaska already gets about 25 percent of its electricity from dams.

“Experts say that Alaska probably has the country’s best geothermal, wind, tidal and wave resources. But many of these energy sources are hard to tap effectively because they are far from population centers. Still, energy costs in many Alaskan villages are high, providing long-term incentives to switch.

“The Alaska legislature has already authorized a $100 million fund for renewable energy projects. None of the money has yet been dispersed, but…77 projects, ranging from wind farms to landfill gas recovery, are about to begin receiving funding…”