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Independence Day 2013: Declaration of Freedom from Fossil Fuels

July 04, 2013 Add Comment Edit

Two hundred and thirty seven years ago, US colonies freed themselves from the injustice of British rule, now America needs to free itself from the injustice of fossil fuels. The United States' Declaration of Independence is a statement adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776. On that day, thirteen American colonies proclaimed their freedom from Great Britain. On the fourth of July 2013, America needs to start thinking seriously about a declaration of freedom from fossil fuels.

A few years after the American revolution, the industrial revolution dawned, beginning America's meteoric rise to global dominance. However, fossil fuels are the engine that drove this growth and they are also the leading cause of climate change.
Americans have some important choices to make. Ending fossil fuel subsidies is an important first step. But this cannot be accomplished as long as Americans vote for Republicans who continue their unyielding support for dirty energy.

We must rethink some of the basic notions of the old economy. We need to move towards more efficient and sustainable visions of the future. It is time for Americans to declare their independence and begin working towards a future free of fossil fuels.

© 2013, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

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Guide to Government Incentives for Green Commercial Trucks

May 03, 2013 Add Comment Edit

There are numerous benefits for utilizing fuel efficient commercial trucks. In addition to being better for the environment, fuel-efficient trucks boosts your company image and positively impacts your bottom line.

While these vehicles are more expensive than their less-efficient counterparts, the U.S. government has set up incentive programs to provide loans, offset costs and offer tax credits and exceptions to help companies outfit their transportation operations with green fleets.

At the federal, regional and state level, there are five types of incentives for those that purchase new commercial vehicles or upgrade in fuel-saving trucking equipment:

Grants Rebates and vouchers
Low cost loans
Tax credits
Tax exceptions

However, it’s important to consider who qualifies for these programs. Many incentive programs commonly stipulate vehicle type, fuel type, state/region of operation, vehicle weight limit, fleet size and overall company revenue. In addition, the application for each type of incentive is nuanced, and each program has its own requirements.

To help, Software Advice, a software review company, has put together a comprehensive guide that breaks down the federal, regional and state incentive programs and provides contact information for each program. In addition, the guide provides a quick, four-step process to help guide your application process.

Check out the 2013 Guide to Government Incentives for Fuel-Efficient Commercial Trucks for more detailed information on these programs.

Source: Global Warming is Real

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Republicans Oppose the PTC but Support Oil Subsidies

March 28, 2013 Add Comment Edit

It is not surprising that many Republicans who oppose the Production Tax Credit (PTC) for renewable energy, support fossil fuel subsidies. Although the PTC was extended through 2013, some Republicans have vowed to continue their push to kill it. Conservatives are well known for their love of free markets and distrust of government subsidies, unless of course it involves fossil fuels. Some Republicans in Congress have made it clear that they will seek amendments that erode the PTC.

Republicans including the 2012 presidential nominee Mitt Romney, wanted to let the PTC expire. Romney and other Republicans who oppose the PTC say it costs too much and props up businesses with government subsidies.

Romney spokesman Ryan Williams said in an email that Romney "believes the government should stop playing venture capitalist and doling out open-ended subsidies, and instead encourage private sector innovation and market competition.” This is part of the same conservative philosophy that advocates for unbridled free markets and supports deregulation.

In September of 2012, 46 Republicans voted against the PTC while in March 2011, 46 Republicans voted against closing tax loopholes that let Big Oil collect $4 billion in annual subsidies.

Some Republicans, including Iowa Rep. Tom Latham, Sen. Scott Brown, and Gov. Terry Branstad support the tax credits for renewable energy because of the jobs they create. It is estimated that the expiry of the PTC would have resulted in the loss of 10,000 jobs in the wind industry alone.

However there are other powerful members of the GOP that remain opposed to the PTC. Representative James Lankford (R-OK), the chair of the newly formed House Oversight Subcommittee on Energy Policy, Health Care and Entitlements, has made it clear that his Subcommittee is suspicious of the federal government's support for renewables including the PTC.

The wind industry may have received a one-year reprieve, but if some Republicans have their way this extension will be clawed back by subsequent amendments.

A Condensed History of the Production Tax Credit (PTC)

March 28, 2013 Add Comment Edit

After 20 years and many extensions, the federal Production Tax Credit (PTC) expired at the end of 2012, but then miraculously it was once again resurrected in an eleventh hour addendum to the fiscal cliff deal. On Jan. 1, 2013, the final vote of the 112th Congress secured the extension of the PTC. Although 60+ tax provisions were due to expire the last minute deal granted the PTC a stay of execution.

In the final hours of the fiscal cliff negotiations, a provision in the American Taxpayer Relief Act (P.L. 112-240) added a $12 billion, one year extension of the PTC. The $12 billion figure ($12.1 billion to be exact) was estimated by the Congressional Joint Committee on Taxation. Just before 2 A.M. on New Year’s Day 2013, the Senate overwhelming voted in favor of the deal (89-8).

Alongside this most recent extension, a change to the PTC was introduced that relaxed the eligibility requirements for the credit. Renewable energy projects now need only ‘commence construction’ by January 1, 2014, to qualify for the credit, instead of the projects being ‘placed-in-service’ by that date. Further the threshold on tax cuts was dropped to $450,000 from $1,000,000.

No discussion of government support for renewable energy would be complete without at least mentioning American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) specifically section 1603 which has had a significant impact on installed renewable energy capacity. (Section 1603 made renewable energy grants available to project developers).

Markets were rattled by the immanent expiration of the PTC at the end of 2012 as concern mounted about an industry which rises and falls on votes by Congress. Nonetheless, the PTC has been a growth engine for renewable energy and it has succeeded in giving investors the confidence to invest.

© 2013, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

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Fossil Fuels are the Most Hated Industry in the US

August 28, 2012 Add Comment Edit

Americans may not like government, but according to a new poll, they hate the oil and gas industry most of all. A new Gallup poll asked thousands of Americans how they feel about 25 of the nation's largest industries -- positive, neutral or negative. A total of 61 percent of those polled gave the fossil fuel industry a negative rating

To rank the most hated industries, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed the 10 private sector industries with the most overall negative views among the 25 industries Gallup included in its annual Work and Education survey. They also reviewed the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ASCI), which employs a multiequation econometric model to score industries on a 0-100 scale.

With the oil and gas industry being the most hated industry in the country, it is high time that America removes its support for oil subsidies.

© 2012, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

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Independence Day: Declaration of Freedom from Fossil Fuels

Independence Day 2012: Declaration of Freedom from Fossil Fuels

July 04, 2012 Add Comment Edit

Two hundred and thirty six years ago, the colonies freed themselves from the injustice of British rule, now America needs to free itself from the injustice of fossil fuels. The United States' Declaration of Independence is a statement adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776. On that day, thirteen American colonies proclaimed their freedom from Great Britain. On the fourth of July 2012, America needs a declaration of freedom from fossil fuels.

A few years after the American revolution, the industrial revolution dawned, beginning America's meteoric rise to global dominance. However, fossil fuels are the engine that drove this growth and they are also the leading cause of climate change.

This year Americans have some important choices to make. Ending fossil fuel subsidies is an important first step. But this cannot be accomplished as long as Americans vote for Republicans who continue their unyielding support for dirty energy.

We must rethink some of the basic notions of the old economy. We need to move towards more efficient and sustainable visions of the future. It is time for Americans to declare their independence and begin working towards a future free of fossil fuels.

Success of #EndFossilFuelSubsidies Twitter Storm Directed at Rio+20

June 20, 2012 Add Comment Edit

On Monday June 18, climate change activists used Twitter to send a message to end fossil fuel subsidies that has echoed around the world. People all over the planet understand that it's simply wrong to be spending tax dollars off to the richest industry in the world, an industry that's wrecking the atmosphere and endangering our shared future. The 24-hour "Twitter storm" garnered the support of hundreds of thousands of people and was the top ranked tweet of the day. According to the Guardian this was the top trending topic in the US and second place globally while Topsy.com reported that it was the #1 story in the world. Politicians have also joined the storm, with messages streaming in from Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi in the US and former Prime Minister Helen Clark of New Zealand.

In addition to the Twitterstorm, activists at Avaaz.org, Friends of the Earth, and 350.org delivered a petition of more than 750,000 signatures calling for an end to fossil fuel subsidies to 10 Downing Street this morning. Similar petitions are being presented in other nations. In Rio yesterday in which campaigners unfurled a massive trillion dollar bill on Copacabana beach marked with calls for an end to the subsidies, which are approaching that scale.

Keep the Twitterstorm alive and Tweet this post. To make sure the message is not ignored organizers at 350.org are asking people to get 5 friends on Twitter to join the storm. Share this Facebook event on your wall and tag five of your savviest friends asking them to join.

The Twitter Storm has made it that much more likely that we will see the beginning of the end of fossil fuel subsidies.

© 2012, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

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End One Trillion Dollars of Annual Fossil Fuel Subsidies

June 19, 2012 Add Comment Edit

Although governments try to hide the exact amount, an analysis by Oil Change International indicates that global oil subsidies total at least $775 billion to as much as $1 trillion or more in 2012. Rather than pay for an industry that is destroying the planet and compromising the lives of all of its inhabitants, this money could be put to better use for renewable energy, education, hunger and poverty.

In 2009, G20 leaders pledged to phase out fossil fuel subsidies. While this was an historic commitment, very little concrete action has followed. Eliminating global fossil fuel subsidies represent a tremendous opportunity for increased efficiencies in spending, reductions in global reliance on fossil fuels and greenhouse gas emissions, and sources of finance for climate-related activities and other efforts.

Click here to download a facts sheet.

© 2012, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

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Rio+20: 350.org Campaign to End Fossil Fuel Subsidies

June 18, 2012 Add Comment Edit

As people converge in Rio for the "Earth Summit," it is time to pressure world leaders to end fossil fuel subsidies. Ending Fossil Fuel Subsidies topped the UN Rio Dialogues online vote, but the official UN text still lacks clear commitments. That stalwart friend of the environment, 350.org is partnering with Avaaz to promote a massive social media storm designed to pressure world leaders to put an end to fossil fuel subsidies.

According the 350.org there are now over one million people around the world who are calling for an end to fossil fuel subsidies. Rio+20 is being billed as a landmark event for the planet's future, and the theme of the conference is "building the global green economy." There is no better way to build the green economy than ending fossil fuel subsidies and investing in renewable energy instead.

On June 18th, concerned global citizens from around the world will take to Twitter to make their point: we need to end fossil fuel subsidies NOW! Our message will be heard in Rio de Janeiro—where world leaders will be gathered for the Rio+20 Conference on the Environment—and in capital cities around the world. 350.org is partnering with Avaaz to make the Twitter Storm an event that cannot be ignored.

Learn more about the End Fossil Fuel Subsidies Twitter Storm here, and sign up here to join the 350 Social Media Team Today. The Twitter Storm will take place on Monday June 18th 2012. Join and SHARE the event here. Make sure you use the hastag: #EndFossilFuelSubsidies.

© 2012, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

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Tell the G20 to End Fossil Fuel Subsidies Now

April 12, 2012 Add Comment Edit

Our tax dollars are being used to subsidize massive oil companies that are making astronomical profits. Big Oil is not only responsible for climate change they are using their record-breaking profits on massive misinformation campaigns and political influence. A growing number of people are seeking to put an end to this $600 billion dollar a year travesty. One of those groups is Avaaz.org, they are organizing a protest against Big Oil when the G20 convenes in Washington and a petition to put an end to fossil fuel subsidies. The following is an excerpt of an Avaaz.org article and call to action called Paid to Pollute:

Next week we have a chance to draw a line in the sand -- the G20 finance ministers are meeting in Washington [The G20 Meeting of Deputy Ministers of Finance will take place on April 19 and 20 in Washington] and we can meet them there with a massive global outcry calling on them to finally stop paying polluters billions in our tax dollars. These leaders have agreed to end black subsidies but failed to act, let's hold them to their word.

Sign the petition and tell everyone -- it's time to end polluter payments for good.

The timing couldn’t be more urgent -- extreme weather continues to smash records and island nations are entering negotiations to relocate their entire populations. Yet oil, coal and gas companies pay ‘experts’ to soil public debate with false arguments like climate change isn’t real and we have no reason for action. All of these are ploys to make these companies more money -- a recent study has shown that for every $0.01 increase in petrol prices, the oil companies make $200bn more in profits. Last year Exxon alone made $4.7 million in profits every hour!

The truth is that a clean energy revolution is close, and if realised it would permanently break the fossil fuel barons’ dangerous grip on our planet and politicians. Already many forms of clean energy are finding ways to compete and if we ended government gifts to fossil fuels it would level the playing field overnight, spurring a worldwide surge in clean energy.

The G20 is the first in a long road to ending polluter payments -- but it's a battle we can win.

The petition reads: "To G20 leaders: As concerned global citizens, we urge you to disclose and end direct hand-outs to fossil fuel producers, and also start the phase-out of schemes that drive demand for dirty energy. We’re on the brink of a climate catastrophe, and stopping taxpayer gifts to fossil fuels would level the energy playing field overnight, spurring a worldwide surge in clean energy. Honour your previous commitments and make ending polluter payments the top global priority for the upcoming UN Earth Summit."

Sign the petition, and forward it widely.

Together, time and time again we have achieved the impossible. And now, our entire planet's future is at stake. Let’s launch a climate spring and take a step closer to freeing the world from the tyranny of fossil fuels.

More information:
Slate: "Dirty Money"
Financial Post: "Obama says tax breaks for Big Oil need to end"
Daily Kos: "Big-five oil companies: $101 billion in profits for 2011"
Guardian: "Phasing out fossil fuel subsidies 'could provide half of global carbon target'"
Center for American Progress: "Pumped and Quartered"

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