The push for renewable energy continues! On August 19, 2020, Democratic Presidential Candidate Bernie Sanders unveiled his “green new deal” To power U.S. homes and vehicles with sources of renewable energy. While most plans to date only require clean energy by 2050, Sanders is upping the ante, committing to reach the milestone by just 2030.

The Vermont Senator says that addressing climate change is a moral imperative that requires a wholesale transformation of our society. He will enlist the help of the federal government to build and run publicly owned solar panels, wind, and geothermal electricity projects and offset the costs by selling from these agencies. After 2035, sources of renewable energy would be free aside from the cost of operations. He would also build an electric vehicle charging network and provide grants to switch from conventional cars.

Sanders isn’t the only one working towards clean energy goals.

In mid-august, Wisconsin joined the ranks of states committed to 100% carbon-free energy by 2050. Go, Wisconsin!

Utilities are also increasingly pushing for sources of renewable energy. An Associated Press review of public lobbying records reveals that as many as 70  solar energy companies and groups spent over $5.3 million lobbyings at beacon hill in Massachusetts last year, with many of the top spenders in the sources of the renewable energy sector.

Nextera energy, the world’s largest producer of wind and solar energy, spent about three hundred and seventy-two thousand dollars, followed closely by Anbaric development partners and Engie North America, which spent three hundred and thirty thousand dollars. And two hundred and twenty-two thousand dollars respectively. 

This spending marks a huge shift from 2005, when only two dozen solar companies spent $1.2 million, with few involved in renewable solar power. The change is due in part to a 2016 bipartisan energy bill signed by Republican Governor Charlie Baker, authorizing the largest procurement of clean energy in the state’s history.

Sources of renewable energy are in high demand, with stakeholders across party lines coming out in support of the change. The question is, how will we get there, and how long will it take?

Do you think Bernie Sanders “green new deal” Will be the next big step for solar? Comment below and let us know.

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