Bill Jensen: Renewables need participants to work

The Nov. 26 Froma Harrop column “We can attack global warming without Trump” suggested that local governments can offset the environmental inaction that is anticipated from the Trump administration. This is generally correct, but we must have enlightened leadership and citizen participation.

Unfortunately, our state legislature allowed the tax credit for installing renewable energy systems to expire. The legislature must reevaluate its inaction and move to again support renewable energy. This step will enable cities and individuals to shoulder the cost of installing renewable energy systems.

Cities can prod developers to both promote solar photovoltaics and install these systems on their community structures. In Apex, developers are now pre-wiring houses for solar PV and are working with solar PV companies to promote these installations on individual homes.

Cities can install solar PV systems on government buildings, but to make these systems economically viable, public-private partnerships must be created as a means of taking advantage of federal tax incentives. These partnerships can provide a good rate of return for the resident participants.

All that is needed are concerned residents who are willing to take action. Everyone must work together to prevent a global warming crisis; government cannot do it alone.

This story was originally published December 14, 2016 at 8:12 PM with the headline "Bill Jensen: Renewables need participants to work."